Floyd students get hands-on experience at FCA
During the March 31 excursion, students broke up into two groups and alternated between painting with FCA artist/paint instructor Ivy Morris and making stained glass with instructor Lisa Thompson.
Eight Floyd County High School (FCHS) students recently went on a field trip to the Floyd Center for the Arts (FCA) for a hands-on art experience after participating in a survey by FCHS Librarian Mary Dickerson.
Dickerson explained that the survey asked students about what they would be interested in learning, and many said making stained glass would be interesting. “I’m all about creating opportunities that the students wouldn’t otherwise have,” Dickerson said.
During the March 31 excursion, students broke up into two groups and alternated between painting with FCA artist/paint instructor Ivy Morris and making stained glass with instructor Lisa Thompson. Thompson is an assistant library branch manager and a Floyd Town Council member who has been making stained glass art, including custom large-scale work for homes and churches, since 1996.
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Students also visited the Hayloft Gallery’s solo exhibition of artist Howard Wenger, "Feeling, Thoughts and Dreams." Wenger met with the students and spoke to them about his art, which includes paintings, clay and wooden sculpture.
Erin Rodgers, FCA's program manager, said that the experiences for students are funded by a generous donor who donated money specifically for field trip programs. She explained that FCA covers the "transportation, materials, and paying instructors.” She added that the Center’s Art for All program — which they provide for free to the New River Community Service Board’s drug rehabilitation program and to groups with special needs — is covered by a grant.
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Student Brook Whitlock held up her finished stained-glass piece from the mini class as others worked with focused attention. Some students may take longer, full Saturday classes if they are interested, Dickerson said. “There are some scholarship opportunities.”
Supportive of community integration and drawing on community resources, she noted that one of her yearbook students, Elayna Harris, has been contributing photography to the Floyd Times and to Floyd County Parks and Recreation Department.
Photos by Colleen Redman
