Inside art galleries, businesses and craft stores are groups of students from all ages gathering around white fold-out tables eager to learn a new artform. Whether it be watercoloring, book binding, doll making or embroidery, local artists are spearheading classes to help others learn their crafts. These art workshops not only provide knowledge and practice of a particular medium, they also provide stress relief and foster community between the artist and students. Because at one point, these artists were rookies just like their students.
In fact, watercolor artist Cindy Boney began her art journey in 2016, teaching herself to paint via YouTube videos after long days of being an educator. She said her art was her go-to stress relief tactic and a sure-fire way to unwind her mind.
“A lot of times, when you relax your mind, then your problem-solving skills can come in, and you can actually solve some problems that you’re facing,” Boney said.
Boney began teaching watercolor classes to help blooming artists save time and frustration from learning art techniques via online videos. In her classes, she teaches basic art terminology, tools and brush techniques and brings in samples. Boney said her favorite part of teaching is when she sees the lightbulbs go off in her students’ minds.
Boney is not holding any classes for the remainder of the year, but you can see her live demo painting at the Waco Open Arts Market on Saturday, October 26 from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. at Cultivate 7Twelve, 712 Austin Ave., and at the Austin Avenue Art Fair at Marie’s Wine Bar, 723 Austin Ave., November 1-3.
Unlike Boney, Jennifer McGlon a.k.a. NoodleandLou a.k.a. Jenn started creating art in 2005 and sold it on Etsy, which was brand-new at the time. McGlon dabbles in many artforms, but her favorites are embroidery and doll making. She teaches workshops around the country, including here in Waco, in addition to online workshops.
“A lot of artists like to gatekeep and don’t really want to share secrets and where I got this and where I got that, but I’m the total opposite,” McGlon said. “My tagline and my brand are ‘everyone is creative,’ so I truly believe that.”
McGlon said she wants to be her student’s biggest cheerleader and ensures they leave her workshop with a piece of art they can be proud of. On November 10 at the Paper Crown, 601 Franklin Ave., McGlon is hosting a punch needle Christmas ornament workshop. If you’re looking to learn a different artform, she is also teaching a quilted Christmas stocking class on November 24 at the same location. McGlon’s classes include all materials, and her online classes even provide supplies if you’re looking for an at-home experience.
A unique workshop with a certain mission in mind is with World Cup Cafe and Fair-Trade Market Administrator Shannon Williams and guest artists. The World Cup Cafe and Fair-Trade Market is for-profit of Mission Waco | Mission World and prides themselves on being the only verified Fair Trade Market in Central Texas between Austin and Dallas. Fair Trade is an equity movement that fights for artisans to be paid a living wage upfront, using sustainable practices and no child or slave labor.
Williams is a Baylor alumna who graduated with an undergraduate degree in Art History as well as a Master of Divinity from Truett Seminary. Twenty-one years ago, fresh out of college, Williams found Mission Waco, fell in love with the Fair-Trade movement and discovered a way to express her artistic side.
“I didn’t see accessibility to art classes for people who maybe don’t have as many resources, not only location wise, but also financially,” Williams said. “A lot of times, art classes or private lessons can be costly for people, and so it was very important to not only bring fair trade to all people, but also the art.”
All materials used in the workshops are Fair Trade certified and each class is only $25; part of the proceeds also go back to Mission Waco. Every month, a new art form is introduced such as watercolor, calligraphy, book binding, and on December 7, brush lettering –– you can register for the classes on their website.
While all of these artists are strangers to one another and delve into different mediums, the one common thread I found connecting them was how excited they are when they see a student truly being creative for themselves and not for anyone else.
“I love sitting down at a class and helping someone be creative or teach someone a new craft,” McGlon said. “That’s my favorite thing ever, I love to be an encourager.”
