Work of novice artists to be displayed

The artwork on display at the Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative is by homemakers, professionals, husbands and retirees ranging in age from 35 to 80.

By JOY DAVIS-PLATT

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 9, 2000

SPRING HILL -- The paintings of 16 art students will be on display through the month at the Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative in Spring Hill. The exhibit is courtesy of the Spring Hill Art League.

"It's nice to show people what talent there is here in Spring Hill," said Carol Rockwell, who teaches the budding artists at her Spring Hill studio. "There are a lot of great things going on."

The subjects are diverse and include country scenes, landscapes, seascapes and figure work, Rockwell said.

"My students want to participate," she said. "They bring something into class they would like to work on -- something that interests them."

When students are interested in their subject, Rockwell has found, they learn better.

"Most paint for a sister, a friend, their mother or themselves to go over their couch," she said. "They reproduce vacation photos."

Though personal satisfaction is important, Rockwell is pleased with the opportunity for her students' work to be seen by the public.

Students in classes of five to 10 meet weekly at the 8-year-old studio, each working on independent projects, Rockwell said. They are homemakers, professionals, husbands and retirees. They range from 35-80 years old and share a desire to paint, but each brings something unique to the artistic process.

It is more difficult to give students individual instruction, Rockwell said, but she finds more satisfaction in the process.

"I don't want them to just copy someone else," said Rockwell. "I don't want them to just paint along with the teacher."

The students' work will be on display during business hours at Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative, 10005 Cortez Blvd., through the end of June. The exhibit is free. For information, call 596-4000.

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