Mentor Public Library to Host Free Art Workshop

still has spots open for artists and would-be artists who want to attend a free art workshop March 12.

Local artist James McNamara will teach the basics of drawing and painting from 1 to 3 p.m. at the library's main branch.

McNamara is a trained painter who studied at the Cleveland Institute of Art and Cleveland State University.

“It is a basic drawing and painting class that meets the art student at whatever level,” McNamara said of his workshop, Recipe for Art. “It is an open, enjoyable, no-pressure approach to making art.”

McNamara will teach four elements of art: portraits, still life, landscapes and free form.

Barbara Hauer works at Mentor Public Library and arranged the event. She met McNamara during a library-organized trip to the Cleveland Museum of Art where he works.

They struck up a casual conversation about a Rembrandt van Rijn painting, and she was immediately impressed with his knowledge of art. He mentioned to her that he taught private art lessons.

"It was serendipitous how it happened," Hauer said.

Artists are encouraged to bring their own materials to the workshop, such as pencils, paper, sketchbooks, watercolors, ink, pastels, tempera, paint and mat boards.

While the event is free, participants need to call 440-255-8811, ex.210, to register. The program can only accept the first 20 to register.