Marie Barbuti has been named the April Artist of the Month from the Dunmore Activity Hub.
“Since 1992, I have had the privilege of being part of the oil painting class at the Dunmore Senior Center, “ Marie says. “First it was located on Chestnut Street, and then became part of the Dunmore Community Center on Monroe Avenue.”
Marie usually paints a variety of subjects, most of them out of her imagination, and a few from photos of nature. She loves doing portraits of people and animals, and she has given several of those paintings away to friends and family.
“Painting at the center, whatever your choice—oil, watercolor or acrylic, is a delight,” Marie reports. “If you help with a problem area, our instructor, Jill Swersie, is always pleasant and willing to help you. The students are great—very friendly, and everyone is supportive of each other’s works.”
Ms. Swersie resides in the Poconos, and travels to be at the center every Monday from noon to 4 p.m. A free sketching class is offered from noon to 1 p.m.
Class members participate in several shows a year, with food, drink, and sometimes live music, and many of the artists have sold their paintings.
“Painting is a wonderful and inexpensive therapy,” Marie points out. “Please don’t feel you have to be a Michelangelo, DaVinci, or Kinkade to join our class. All you have to do is want to try something new in a relaxed atmosphere, have fun and make some friends.”
