Maria Ragnacci is shown with two of her paintings, “Turquoise and Velvet,” a fascinating use of color and light, and “The Red Fence,” a painting of her back yard.

Maria Ragnacci has certainly progressed from her first attempt at painting: “My very first experience with painting was a “paint by numbers” kit, a gift from my mother when I was 18,” she says.

I was hooked!  I loved working with paint and canvas, but I decided that I didn’t want to ‘stay in the line.s’  I love the freedom to do my own thing and paint what I see,” Maria explains.

Most of Maria’s paintings are from pictures in magazines, photos that she has taken, and her  own originals.  She recently completed portraits of her five grandchildren.

“Turquoise and Velvet,” pictured here, fascinated her by its use of color and light. “The Red Fence” is a painting of her back yard.

 “With help and guidance from our teacher, Jill Swersie, I feel that I have greatly improved and accomplished more than I could ever have imagined,” Maria explains. “ The class at the Dunmore Activity Hub is more than just a place a place to paint.  The encouragement, camaraderie and friendship of fellow painters makes us likea family.”

 ‘There are many other programs and activities for people to take advantage of that are equally enriching.  The Dunmore Activity Hub, under the direction of Allison Boga, is truly one of Dunmore’s “Gems!” Maria points out.

Note: At press time, The Dunmorean did not have a projected date for the re-opening of the Dunmore Activity Hub.