Jan Brown

Review of Richmond Art Center

I am a first time reviewer of anything. What bring...

I am a first time reviewer of anything. What brings me out of my shell is a class I recently took at the Richmond Art Center (RAC). I love the RAC. Its classes and exhibits are a smorgasbord of tempting experiences. Over the years, I ve taken weekend workshops that are relatively inexpensive and fun. In the children s programs, I shadowed my children as they delighted in their creations from summer camp. But taking a full blown class for myself seemed impossible for a host of excuses that boiled down to time, cost, and mostly fear of being exposed as inept. I m not getting any younger and when I saw the class description of Fundamentals of Drawing by an instructor whose work I admired, I knew it was time for me to bite the bullet and take an art class where I was a true beginner. This takes some courage. In all honesty it was hard work. Charcoal and a blank art tablet need a master, and even if you have never tried it before, your eyes and your brain become your best resources, thanks to the gentle encouragement of instructor Ned Axthelm. There s no stress or homework, just a commitment to being in class. Suddenly, outside of the classroom, you start to see people and surroundings as light and shadow. What you once took for granted, now takes on a whole new appearance. And most importantly, you learn to quiet that critical voice in your head that tells you over and over that you are inept. We all are at some point, and that makes us fertile ground for learning. I plan to practice the fundamentals. Like anything, practice is key. But getting a good foundation gives me confidence to grow and keep trying. This class was a marvelous value for the practical lessons it provided.

If you hang around the Richmond Art Center you know that its instructors, classes and exhibits are top notch. It earns gold stars as an organization that consistently offers a quality assortment of instruction and inspiration that make art and critical thinking an experience to be shared. BRAVO!