Young at heart ArtStroll

The Second-Friday ArtStroll in downtown Thermopolis, March 10, 5-8pm will feature the works of schoolchildren and adult artists.  The event continues on Still Strolling Saturday during regular business hours at participating businesses. “Creativity and learning are inherently tethered to one another”, a quote from Rebecca Mahony, chief marketing officer of video streaming services company TEADS, underscores how important it is for our students of all ages to participate in the Strolls. The displayed art, especially the works by our children, brings out the best in our community.

Hot Springs County Museum will feature an Elementary School students’ art show. Other youth artists from Head Start will also exhibit during the Stroll.

Pick up a map at any Stroll business to find the location of artists and musicians. Return the map to the host business, Nature’s Corner, at the end of Friday evening’s stroll to be entered to win a piece of artwork donated by the artists.

Host business Nature’s Corner will feature Jennie Blakesley, showing her jewelry. You can also see Kay Beall’s multimedia painting. Beall has liked to draw since she was a child, starting in 4-H, and then art classes in high school.  While living in Thermopolis in the 1980s, she took acrylic painting lessons and then discovered Betty Jo O’Neal who introduced her to painting on saws. O’Neal introduced her to Dorothy Dent Books, who also taught Beall a lot. She and her husband live in Worland

In addition to the student art on display at the museum, Ken Smith, who is new to the Strolls, will show his Laser Edge/Sawdust & Slivers. Plus, Jennifer Taylor will have her handmade soaps and lotions. Joining them is Shawna Zimmer, multimedia artist. Smoking Waters Art Guild member, Toddi Darlington will lead a Make It and Take It Spring Basket. 

This month’s ArtStroll and Still Strolling Saturday will include other artists and activities, live music, refreshments and door prizes. Most downtown businesses are open during the event. Cindi Dragon, who is new to our Strolls, will be featuring her mason jar lights.  Creating something from nothing has always been a hobby adventure for Dragon. Mixed media is her current creative focus. 

Lynn Burton, multimedia, has always liked miniature fairy houses and when she saw an artist’s work in Mary Jane’s Farm magazine featuring fairy people, she tried her hand at sculpting fairy faces and making little fairy babies. “It fascinates me that each one takes on its own character as I work on it,” says Burton. Joyce Fletcher, Andrea Linn and Jane Oldridge will also be displaying their work.  Susan Langford be doing healing oils demonstrations. 

Sallie Wesaw, multi-media artist, will be showing her work. Ana Mosser will be displaying her jewelry. Barb Rice will be showing off her repurposed items.

Look for the Hospital Auxiliary Bake Sale along the way to grab a treat. Stephanie Conrad will be doing handmade and repurposed demonstrations. Terri Sani will be on hand with his cardboard bird decoys.

Mike Howland and Harold Hutson will be providing entertainment along the Stroll route.

On Still Strolling Saturday, the Historical Society will feature Kevin States, Superintendent of Hot Springs State Park and Legend Rock, for a presentation on our local parks starting at 2 p.m. at Hot Springs County Museum.

The Second-Friday ArtStroll and Still Strolling Saturday are organized by Hot Springs Greater Learning Foundation and Smoking Waters Art Guild with additional help from Main Street Thermopolis and Hot Springs Travel & Tourism.