Local artists come full Circle
By Nora Cardec Journal Correspondent

(L-r) Marybeth Hayward, Mary Louise Frohm, Sharon Koski, Debra Luoma, Virginia Krul and Joanne Schreiner are some of the regulart members of the Circle of Artists, who meet twice a week in Westminster. Journal Photo/Nora Cardec

A year ago or so a group of artists decided to maintain their fellowship after their group director moved away.

"We painted with Carol Santora for a number of years and when she moved to Maine we didn't want to break-up," said Joanne Schreiner.

"After Carol left, we didn't know where to go," said Virginia Krul. Santora, the painters said, had established a relationship with the Westminster Senior Center a long time ago and the painters saw it as a natural step to choose the center as their connection point.

"The theory is you can paint at home but you don't," said Krul about the reason for the group to start their Circle of Artists.

The Circle of Artists meets Tuesdays and Fridays from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Senior Center/American Legion Hall, 127 Main St.

In the Circle of Artists, painters receive feedback on their work, exchange ideas and techniques and have fun. Participants also interact with the seniors showing them their work and attracting their interest to painting; something Krul calls "parallel play."

Most participants work on watercolors, oils and pastels. Some people do sketches or draw. Participants said the great thing about the group is that it is inspiring.

"We usually paint from our own photographs," said Krul. "And sometimes more than one person paints the same photograph but with a different interpretation."

Debra Luoma said the group offers the opportunity to try painting subjects people would otherwise not think of painting.

There are no fees, no officers and no committees, which participants say make for a better cohesive group.

Marybeth Hayward said the group is a fun one and it is not for philosophical people.

"Some people want to be philosophical and that doesn't work here," she said.

Mary Louise Frohm said, "structure destroys the fun" - a sentiment with which all other participants agreed.

The artists said they enjoy the freedom of working together.

The Circle of Artists is open to anyone interested in painting; anyone with the willingness to try it, said Luoma.

The core group consists of 15 participants who enjoy going to lunch together after each session. "We don't teach, but we give plenty of advice," Luoma said.

Artists are required to bring their own equipment.

The group has already held its first exhibit in conjunction with other Westminster artists.

Luoma said the show, held at the senior center about a month ago, was a total success and involved a lot of team work. The group is already planning for next year's exhibit.

For more information on the Circle of Artists, call Virginia Krul at (978) 874-0375.

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Nora Cardec is a correspondent for The Community Journal and can be reached at: ncardec@yahoo.com or (978) 827-3386. Ext. 10.