People can learn, or relearn, visual art skills through Muskogee Art Guild

Sep. 20—Retired truck driver Larry Neel said he comes 33 miles from Chouteau to rediscover his artistic gift.

Neel spent Thursday morning painting a wildlife scene at Muskogee Art Guild. He said he got involved with Muskogee Art Guild after being unable to find similar opportunities in Tulsa.

"You're on your own in Tulsa," he said. "Developing my own gift back, attempting things I should have done 30-40 years ago, while I was making a living."

Muskogee Art Guild seeks help people discover, or rediscover, their visual art skills, said guild president Leah Hays.

The guild's studio and gallery, 106 S. Main St., now has regular hours, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, unless there is a class in session, Hays said.

She said the guild recently received an American Rescue Plan Act grant through the Oklahoma Arts Council to expand its hours and offer more programs.

"Our mission is to expand visual arts throughout this part of Oklahoma, Muskogee and the surrounding communities," she said.

The guild is using part of the grant to diversify its membership to include more teens and families.

Hays said the guild has held mostly daytime classes.

"Now we are going to expand into after-school," she said. "So now you're going to see more 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. hours being used more for teens and adults who work during the day."

For example, weekly oil painting classes are offered from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays, she said.

"We also will be doing family projects," Hays said.

For example, an Art & Fun Families will be 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 12.

"This will be the first one we've ever done where families can come and do a canvas together, create a together painting," Hays said. "Or it can be groups, we have it labeled families because I've had a lot of requests for that, where kids and parents can do stuff together."

The guild will join in the Inktober worldwide art event by having come and go open studio 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct 3. Inktober challenges people to use ink every day through October.

Hays said the guild's Inktober observance will feature local artist Cynthia Powell.

"What she does is ink your marble and you roll it around," Hayes said. "It's just a different technique to keep you artistic and creative each day. She will probably do a mixture of ink drawings."

Powell also leads an art class for veterans every other Monday at the guild. Other guild member teach classes at Dogwood Creek assisted living facility.