Squinting with one eye and holding out a thin wooden pick, art students focus on a lesson in perspective.
The free eight-week adult drawing class on a recent Friday at the Murphy-Wilmot Library, 530 N. Wilmot Road, is one of many art classes taught as part of the The Drawing Studio's OATS program. OATS stands for Outreach Art Tutoring for Seniors, and the classes are taught by artist tutors to seniors throughout the county libraries.
In this class, nine students spent the morning working with artist Maria Arvayo.
"We learn basic drawing skills, shapes, values, perspective and more," said Arvayo.
Many of the students have never taken an art class. "My niece is an artist. My grandson is an artist. So I said, let's see what nana can do," Naomi Bradley, 84, said with a laugh. "I love it. I really look forward to Friday art class."
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The students listen to the lesson and then work on different skills.
"It offers a challenge, which is good," said LaVerne Everett. "At our age it's good to have a challenge to keep the mind working."
The eight-week course comes to an end this week.
"I might not be a great artist," Bradley said, "but I'll have a great time."
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For more information on the OATS program visit www.thedrawingstudio.org/programs_seniors.html and visit www.library.pima.gov for information about events at the Murphy-Wilmot Library.
Contact photographer Jill Torrance at jtorrance@azstarnet.com or 954-3146.
