AMERICUS — Local artist offers classesOne local artist is making her talent, love of the arts and passion for teaching accessible in the community by providing painting classes for children and adults. Beginning Feb. 9, local artist Debbie Harris is offering art classes in the second floor art room of the Rees Park Economic Development Center. The classes are for ages eight and up and will be held from 4 to 5 p.m. every Tuesday. The cost is $15 per lesson or $60 per month. Enrollment will be limited to the capacity of the art room.

Students can expect a variety of lessons, including techniques of acrylic painting and sketching. In addition to the classes for younger students, Harris is teaching adult acrylic painting classes at the Crisp Area Art Alliance and will soon be offering classes through the Department for Continuing Education at GSW. These classes will also begin Feb. 9 and are scheduled from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Harris is also organizing a weekly adult class at the Maze in downtown Americus called Brushstrokes and Beverages. Through the course of the evening, the students can expect to create their own masterpiece and enjoy a variety of desserts and cheese. The class is geared toward creating a creative atmosphere and is intended for painters of any skill level. “This will be a fun night out to bring out the creative side of yourself,” says Harris. The class will be limited to the first fifteen students. Anyone interested in signing up should call The Maze at 928-9688.

Harris wants to get the word out about teaching art lessons in order to introduce more people to painting and promote artistic creativity in the community. “I enjoy seeing students learn the skill of painting and believe everyone can paint if they have the desire,” says Harris.

Harris’s jaunt as an artist began at the age of twenty-four, under the direction of Milton Lenoir, an internationally known artist. In 1986, Harris, along with Lenoir opened an art studio in Phoenix City, Ala., starting her down the path to a life long career in the arts.

In addition to having her own studio, Harris has also traveled regionally, conducting art workshops. Harris has also seen the rare success of having her work hanging in public and private collections.

For more information about art lessons from Debbie Harris call her studio at 942-3116.