Hillsdale Craft Supply hosts painting classes. Courtesy | Facebook
Hillsdale Craft Supply will offer new classes in different painting styles throughout the month of April.
The craft store has four upcoming classes. According to Hillsdale Craft Supply’s Facebook page, attendees are able to choose from an “Aurora Borealis Sky Watercolor Painting class on April 13 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., a “Floral on Painted Wood Background Acrylic Painting” class on April 20 at 11 a.m., and a “Cardinal Watercolor” class on April 21 at 1 p.m.
“Aurora Borealis painting is a unique technique, using a lot of water and pushing it with paint,” said Shelley Mangus, owner of Hillsdale Craft Supply. “It is a lot of fun to learn. It takes about two to two and a half hours to paint the entire picture.”
Mangus said the different classes teach different painting techniques.
“The ‘Floral on Painted Wood Background Acrylic Painting’ lesson is teaching abstract background techniques, butterflies and flowers,” Mangus said. “The ‘Cardinal Watercolor’ painting class uses very little water versus the ‘Aurora Borealis’ techniques. You learn fine line technique and detailing because birds are quite tedious paintings.”
The craft supply shop first opened in June 2017. Since its opening, Hillsdale Craft Supply has hosted numerous classes, teaching acrylic painting, watercolor painting, clay arts, dot mandala painting, paper crafting, greeting card making, macrame art, knitting, crochet, cross stitch and hand embroidery, Mangus said.
“It is fun and relaxing to do arts and crafts,” Mangus said. “It is a great stress release as well. Art therapy has been used for generations to help with stress, anxiety and PTSD. We hold small classes, eight people or less on site.”
According to Mangus, the classes are open to anyone in the community, including college students, and participants can be any level of artist from beginner to intermediate. No previous experience is required.
Class attendees inspire future ideas for Hillsdale Craft Supply events, Mangus said. College students have the ability to create their own art class events as well. They just need to put a group together and let the store know what they want to create.
“These events are such an awesome opportunity for the community to learn and foster their artistic abilities,” said freshman and art major Eva Bessette. “Art is such an amazing and creative outlet that truly anyone can enjoy.”
The acrylic wood painting class costs $35 and the other classes cost $30. Participants can register online at hillsdalecraftsupply.com.