Sky’s the limit on fun and creativity!
Some people think that Siskiyou Artists Association is for artists only. But how does one become an artist?
One of the variety of art classes offered through Siskiyou Artists Association is a paper mache class. Yes, other artists — like painters — take it for something different, but people with no art background have tried it as well. And everyone seems to love it.
Many people remember doing paper mache as children in school. Well, it hasn’t changed. Gita Lloyed, an artist who has shown her papier-mâché sculptures in exhibits, taught a papier-mâché class through Siskiyou Artists Association at the Lake Shastina Community Center on a couple of Saturdays, and there were artists and non-artists alike trying it out.
Gita showed how simple the process is, demonstrating how to work with papier-mâché and even casually ripping open a partially made sculpture to make changes to it. She went around the room asking what each individual wanted to make and explained different ways to achieve their desired outcome.
Donna Harper, a local artist who took the class, says, “I have never done papier-mâché before, but I have been curious. I find it to be soul searching. It brings out your attitude and your feelings in your work.”
Ginny Seibert says the class was very inspiring, and she had never attended a workshop before. She worked on building a ballerina and a roadrunner, which looked amazingly accurate.
Gita says of her class, “Everyone should do papier-mâché. It is fun, easy, forgiving and free — using recyclables and making the glue with simple ingredients found in every kitchen. It can be ‘fine art’ or ‘cartoony.’ It is something that every skill level can accomplish. Sky’s the limit!”
All the papier-mâché shown are not completed.
Siskiyou Artists Association is a non-profit with an annual art sale at Mt. Shasta High School in the fall. They offer scholarships for College of the Siskiyous. At their monthly meetings, members bring in their artwork for critiquing.
For more information about Siskiyou Artists Association and to receive their monthly newsletter, visit www.siskiyouartists.com or email [email protected]. Their mailing address is Siskiyou Artists Association, PO Box 1654, Mt. Shasta, CA 96067.
