Dare County Arts Council is proud to announce four new art workshops that are free for Veterans, active-duty military and their families, following the award of a grant for Military and Veteran Arts Programs from the North Carolina Arts Council.

April 21-22, nationally-recognized art director Sam Ogden will lead the “Old Glory” painting workshop at the American Legion Building in Kill Devil Hills. Through a guided painting tutorial, Ogden will teach aspiring artists painting techniques to create dimension and depth in their artwork. He will help students choose the starting point for their piece, learn to paint straight lines, use shading and lighting, and other painting fundamentals. While students are working on their pieces, Ogden will paint an original patriotic mural inside the American Legion, which is being renovated this year.

“Art has always been a way for me to consider the world around me at a slower pace,” said art director Sam Ogden. “When we run around in our daily lives, many thoughts and ideas are lost amongst day-to-day tasks when things have to get done quickly and efficiently. For me, painting is a meditation on immediacy and presence.”

On Friday, May 25 award-winning photographer Shirley Whitenack will teach a digital photography workshop titled Take Your Best Shot at Dare County Arts Council in Manteo. This workshop will consist of lecture, demonstration, and on-location photography at Bodie Island Lighthouse to enhance the classroom instruction.

“I worked as an instructional developer at Joint Forces Command for over 10 years and interacted with all branches of the military,” said Whitenack. “My husband is an Air Force Veteran who served in the Vietnam War. I am pleased to be able to offer this photography workshop to our military Veterans. One lucky Veteran who takes my workshop will win a new camera bag.”

Associate Professor and head of the Professional Crafts Jewelry program at College of the Albemarle (COA), Kathryn Osgood will lead a workshop introducing students to the basics of metalsmithing, jewelry construction and design June 9-10 at the COA Jewelry Studio. Class participants will work with copper and brass, be introduced to soldering, learn to use a jeweler’s saw, and create unique jewelry pieces to wear home. All class materials will be provided.

“I invite students of all levels to come and explore their creativity in metal,” said Osgood. “I am the daughter of an Army Veteran and I am happy to have the opportunity to offer this workshop to our Veterans, military and military family members.”

COA adjunct instructor and retired Manteo High School art teacher Robin York will lead a pottery workshop on June 16, 23, and 30 at the COA Pottery Studio. The introductory course will teach basic pottery terminology and techniques. Students will have the opportunity to learn pinch pot and slab build methods and how to throw on the wheel. All class materials will be provided.

“My dad was a Tech Sergeant specializing in marksmanship in the Air Force,” said York. “We didn’t move around as much as some military friends, but we always traveled which ignited my love of culture and art. I look forward to sharing the gift of creativity with our Veterans and its intrinsic value.”

All of the workshops are free for Veterans, activity-duty military, and their families, but space is limited for each workshop and preregistration is required.

For more information about these workshops or to register, please visit DareArts.org/veterans or call Dare County Arts Council at (252) 473-5558.

This project is supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural & Cultural Resources. This project is also supported in part by the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau, Dare County Veterans Advisory Council, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10950. A special thank you goes to Twiddy and Company of Duck for providing accommodations for the visiting instructor.

Dare County Arts Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization dedicated to encouraging the arts in Dare County through advocacy, enrichment and opportunity.