Overton County Arts Council second Saturday art classes

This news story first appeared in Overton County News on April 09, 2024.

Local artist and experienced art educator Suzanne Lavone Smith will teach the second Saturday art classes. Throughout her life, Smith has produced commissioned art using a variety of mediums. Her work has been recognized with numerous awards in juried competitions from Atlanta to New York including being selected as one of the “Top Ten in Tennessee” for two years by the Portrait Society of America.

Smith’s portraiture is displayed in universities, hospitals and banks as well as in private collections throughout the country. Locally, she created two posthumous portraits and a “mostly imagined” large landscape mural in the home of Chris & Wendy Speck.

Having studied with dozens of master artists over decades, Smith has accumulated legacy knowledge from some of the most noted figures in portrait art history. She has simplified the basics of that knowledge into an introductory course that has led novice students to eventually win their own awards. She stated, “Taking inexperienced students through this process and seeing their skills grow has been more fulfilling than I ever imagined.”

Her course begins with the introduction of fundamental techniques and training students to “see value and color like an artist.” By demonstrating each step, students with no prior experience will learn how to create their own still life painting in the very first class. Smith noted, “The next level of classes will expand on those basic skills and enable students to paint on their own.”

Due to her passion for portraiture, Smith has created many hundreds of studies from live models over the years. This has allowed her to develop the necessary speed to achieve a quick likeness. At future OCAC events Smith may be spotted sketching portraits around Livingston. To view more of her work or to commission an original portrait visit www.smithportraits.com.

The Overton County Arts Council (OCAC) is pleased to announce that monthly beginner and intermediate art classes will begin on Saturday, May 11 and continue throughout the year on the second Saturday of each month.

• All art supplies are provided.

• Class location: TCAT - Livingston Multipurpose Room 740 Hi Tech Drive, Livingston, TN 38570. Maps of the campus will be sent to everyone who registers.

• Doors Open: 9:30 a.m.

• Class time: 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m., includes a lunch break. Students should bring their own brown bag lunch.

• Cost: $20 for OCAC members and $35 for non-members. Any Overton County elementary, middle school or high school student (ages 12 and up) who wants to attend a second Saturday class but cannot afford the fee need only contact OCAC for financial assistance prior to the registration deadline.

• Registration deadline: one week prior to class to allow for necessary planning.

• Online registration and payment are done through the OCAC web site, OvertonCountyArts.org.

For more information on OCAC annual memberships, Second Saturday Art Classes and other upcoming programs and events, please visit OvertonCountyArts.org or email OCAC at info@overtoncountyarts.org.