Art & Creativity

so we give up. In reality, it just takes practice. It's all about training yourself to see like an artist, and having fun along the way.” Everything Watercolor, including the kitchen sink! Designed for beginners and intermediate artists alike, the focus of this online class will be playing with watercolor and having fun. composition and getting the image on to the canvas.

We round out with Betz Green and her Mixed Media class. After attending youth classes at Kutztown University, she received a scholarship to attend Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Arts and then attended Tyler School of Art. “Art for me becomes all-encompassing once I enter the studio, close the door, pop in an audio book, sit down at my desk, and begin to create.”

Gabrielle Sivitz demonstrating during a watercolor class session.

The Greater Norristown Art League, located in the heart of Montgomery county, was founded in 1941 and offers art instruction for both adults and children in our one-room converted schoolhouse. Our hands-on classes have been held in our cozy, warm and inviting schoolhouse for over 75 years. Although we have a small footprint, we know that we have a big impact on our community. Yet, like many art organizations, GNAL had to temporarily close its doors back in March of 2020.

Like the little engine that could, we regrouped and took this opportunity to offer our members both engaging and affordable programming while keeping safety a top priority. We built a whole new platform around creativity, embracing artists' needs of all ages. We are fortunate to have engaging instructors who love teaching virtually - all while keeping our small, intimate environment front and center.

As a result, we are so happy to share that we are offering a variety of new, innovative programming that will fit just about anyone's creative needs. Please go to www.GNAL.org to get more details on our classes. We would like to introduce you to a few of our instructors and offer a preview of what is to come.

First up, Gabrielle Sivitz. Gabrielle studied at Bucks County Community College, Moore College of Art & Design, and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts where she focused on painting and print making. Her classes are geared toward having fun and accepting mistakes. “We accept the myth that artists are born with some magical ability that we don't have, and Pen & Ink In this introductory class, you learn the techniques to bring your drawings to another level. Some drawing experience recommended, but not required. In addition to our restructured online classes, we have put together smaller in person classes such as Oil Painting with Jim Green. After graduating from Temple University's Tyler School, of Art Jim owned and operated a construction business for 30 years. He has now turned his full attention to a career in the fine arts. “For me oil painting provides a few hours of a healthy and satisfying escape from the daily nonsense our crazy society dishes out.”

Jim Green, our Oil Painter instructor. “Steel Stacks" oil on linen 24" x 30", “The geometric shapes of the structure combined with the many hues of rust inspired me to paint this monumental relic.” Betz Green, our Mixed Media Drawing instructor. "Newlin Mill" oil pastel on board 18" x 24" “The ways in which the autumn colors are reflected in the diverse forms of the buildings, trees, and boulders motivated me to paint this landscape.”

Oil Painting In this class, you will be taught how to develop a painting from the start to a finished product, with a focus on preparing the surface, creating an interesting Mixed Media Drawing This class is about creating art with drawing mediums you tried in the past and ones you want to learn more about. It is about using these materials in traditional and experimental ways. In addition to our new classes, we have implemented an online Corporate Art Program in partnership with local companies who are willing to offer their employees creative and therapeutic art instruction. It focuses on drawing and sketching with no experience required! Let us know if you may be interested in implementing this at your business. You can contact us at gnartleague@gmail.com. It's the perfect time to embrace your creative side. Please go to www.GNAL.org right now and become a member. After all, the benefits of producing art, at any skill level, have been well-documented. Art lowers stress, lets you focus deeply and helps you imagine a more hopeful future. Just what we need right now. So, if you are driving down Germantown Pike, please don't let the closed doors of our little schoolhouse fool you into thinking we are not open. We are very much open!! In fact, we have opened-up a whole world of possibilities and options for our community and beyond. At GNAL we believe art is therapeutic to mind, body, and spirit, beneficial to all regardless of artistic abilities. We are so blessed to have your continued support though this transition and want to thank you for your donations and support. We wish everyone a happy, healthy and safe New Year!