Colonial Heights: Local artist shares gift, teaches others how to draw
COLONIAL HEIGHTS — How would you like to learn how to draw from a nationally recognized historical artist?
Henry Kidd of Colonial Heights offers weekly graphite and colored pencil drawing classes at Side Street Gallery in Colonial Heights. He has been sharing his talent on Tuesday nights for the past four years.
“Everyone is on different levels. I help them with their drawings, and focus on what each student needs,” Kidd, Side Street Gallery Artist Association president, said. “They draw whatever interests them.”
Cindy Hamlin of Chester has participated in Kidd’s drawing class since 2019.
“Being trained by Henry Kidd has been a real opportunity for me. When he mentioned the drawing class, I jumped on it,” Hamlin said. “His work is well known, and his 9/11 pieces are legendary. It is maddening at times, when I cannot grasp a concept and him breaking it down for me. I assume I am getting better as Henry helps me less.”
Hamlin admits her early drawings are pretty awful. If a new student gets frustrated and says he/she cannot draw, Hamlin takes one for the team and whips out a drawing she did of Henry to show how she has progressed.
“Since then, I have drawn a ballet slipper, the Mansion on Main Victorian Bed & Breakfast in Smithfield that was featured on their Facebook page, and the fountain in Poplar Lawn Park in Petersburg,” Hamlin said.
Hamlin has also drawn a couple of her co-workers’ dogs, her great nieces and presently she is working on a co-worker’s granddaughter.
“I have mostly drawn from pictures I have taken,” Hamlin said. “It is nice seeing my pictures in a new medium.”
The drawing classes are $15 each on Tuesday nights from 6:30 - 8 p.m. Pop-ins are welcome. Typically, the class has six to 12 students. The finished masterpieces often grace the gallery walls during special art shows.
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The late Joseph "Scott" DiPardo's artwork will be on display in the Side Street Gallery through the end of March. He enjoyed drawing under the tutorage of Kidd and produced many beautiful works of art. He also served as a Side Street Gallery Artist Association board member. His pencil and ink drawing titled “Color of Loneliness The Depression” is a must-see.
"Scott was a master of graphite and color pencils. Side Street Gallery is proud to display his work," Kidd said. "He was an up-and-coming artist who was destined to create extraordinary works of art. Unfortunately, he passed away in October. His kind heart and memory will be with me forever."
Kidd's fine art has appeared in documentaries on the History Channel and on many book and magazine covers. His artwork hangs in many prestigious institutions and museums.
Side Street Gallery, located at 135 Pickwick Avenue in Colonial Heights, is open Tuesday – Friday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. For more information about the drawing classes and gallery, call 804-536-0011 or follow them on Facebook at Side Street Gallery & Gifts.
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This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Colonial Heights: Artist Henry Kidd teaches weekly drawing classes
