February may be a cold grey winter month, but at Winnsboro Center for the Arts (WCA) February has pops of vibrant colors for its observation of Black History Month. WCA and HYPE (Helping Young People Excel) partnered together to present The Pleasant Hill Quilters on January 22. The Pleasant Hill Quilters is a quilting group from Linden, Texas who tell stories, sing meaningful hymns, recreate historical quilts, and educate people about the secret quilt codes used to help enslaved people on the Underground Railroad escape to freedom. The performance on January 22 was well-attended and was filled with songs, stories, and symbolism. A few of their quilts and some African cloth are part of the current art exhibition, The Magic of Light, that will be on display in the WCA art gallery through February 28. The quilts are colorful but tell the dark history of slavery in the United States.
The Pleasant Hill Quilters remind us of the suffering of Black Americans in the United States while the other artists featured in The Magic of Light remind us of the importance of celebrating Black Joy. The Magic of Light art exhibition expresses that “light is a component of every work of art” and features the works of international and national award-winning pastel and watercolor artist Barbara Mason, as well as the photography of her husband, James. They are co-owners of Dragonfly Studio Creations art gallery and studio in Frisco, Texas. The pair believe that art gives the viewer an opportunity to see the world in a different light. Barbara’s watercolor and soft pastel paintings include vivid florals, colorful reflective glass, and gorgeous dark skinned female figures. James’ photography showcases beautiful cloud patterns, and majestic sunsets and skyscapes. Learn more about this incredibly talented couple at www.winnsborocenterforthearts.com/art_exhibition_sched.
Celebrate the delight of creativity in one of the February workshops at WCA. Brenda Roberts teaches her monthly Paint & Sip Party February 18, Nancy Beauchamp leads a watercolor workshop for intermediate students February 19, owner of Earthscapes Soap Co. Carrie Bell teaches a Soap-Making workshop February 19 – 20, and Kaye Jackson teaches how to draw beautiful tulips with colored pencil February 26.
For those inspired by the soft pastel pieces in The Magic of Light exhibition, there is a new soft pastel class at WCA. Prolific local pastel artist Nancy Beauchamp teaches soft pastel classes every Thursday evening from 6 – 8 pm at 212 Market St. No experience is required; soft pastel is a fun and forgiving medium with vivid hues. Register for any of these workshops or classes at www.winnsborocenterforthearts.com/visual-art-classes-workshops.
February is a short month and March is right around the corner. Here are some important dates to mark on the calendar: The Bowery Players present Four Old Broads by Leslie Kimbell and directed by Shelley Aubrey at 7:30 pm March 4 – 5 and 11 and at 2:30 pm March 6 and 13. After the hit comedy, Doublewide, Texas, last summer on the Bowery Stage, theatergoers can look forward to the side-splitting antics of Four Old Broads.
There is always much to celebrate at WCA and some of the best signifiers of joy and merriment are bright, vibrant colors and loud, lighthearted music. Come find out what there is to celebrate at WCA.
