Community invited to get creative at

The Big Draw April 14 

By LOIS KINDLE

The Big Draw 2018 offers area residents a chance to get creative, even if they’ve never done so before. Professional artists and art educators will lead a variety of sessions designed to introduce visitors to art in unexpected ways.

The Firehouse Cultural Center will host and sponsor The Big Draw 2018, an exciting array of artistic activities for people of all ages. Professional artists and art educators will lead a variety of sessions, which are designed to introduce visitors to art in unexpected ways.

“You don’t have to be an artist to enjoy The Big Draw,” said Laurie Burhop, event coordinator with The Firehouse Cultural Center’s programming committee. “It’s a great way to experience something you’ve never done before.” It’s also an opportunity to meet people who love and fully appreciate the impact of the arts, Burhop added. “Being around creative people fills the soul,” she said.

The event will take place on Saturday, April 14, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the cultural center, 101 1st Ave. N.E., Ruskin. All activities are free and will be held outdoors or inside the Firehouse Cultural Center’s main building or in its studio across the street.

Here’s an idea of what will take place.

Following the theme “Living Lines,” stations will be set up for the array of activities, which will include photography drawing with light with Jim Reiman; making mobiles with unusual items with Dee Hood; print-making techniques with string and paint with Susan Fredricks; large-scale drawing with chalk with Tuli Carswell; creating lines with bikes with Michael Parker; abstract mural painting on canvas with Will Talenti; drawing in motion with Dolores Coe; and drawing circles with Bruce Marsh. The Tampa Museum of Art will also have a table, but its activity had not been announced by press time. 

The classes generally will be of short duration, depending on the activity and the interest of participants, Burhop said.

“(The Big Draw 2018) will feature new ways of creating art,” she continued. “You might find yourself painting with a rake or a scrub brush normally used in the shower. This is art in the unusual.”  

Live music will be performed by The Front Porch Pickers of Sun City Center outdoors by the studio. 

“The Firehouse Cultural Center is honored to sponsor The Big Draw,” said Beth Stein, operations coordinator. “Our mission is to offer quality programming focusing on arts and education. Providing free events to the South Shore community is part of our foundation and why we continue to grow and develop new programs.”

The Firehouse Cultural Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization devoted to bringing a wide array of arts programming and arts education for adults and children residing in the South Shore area. Scholarships are available for folks of all ages and diversities with limited incomes.

To learn about its programs, classes, workshops and scholarship opportunities, make a donation or become a member, call 813-645-7651 or visit www.firehouseculturalcenter.org. All are open to the public