Upper Crust to host Gallery 107 art student reception March 18

The Upper Crust will present a Coffee Shop and More exhibit by Gallery 107 Art students from March 2 to 27. A reception will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 18. Individuals will be able to discuss Gallery 107’s educational art program and the students' inspiration. Light refreshments will be served. There is no charge for the event.

Artist and instructor Karen Owens thought it would be fun to introduce children to art workshops and different media along with some crafts. When Gallery 107 opened in 2011, she started teaching six children in a small back room of the gallery and now averages roughly a dozen students in each class. Classes are by age group, with 6- to 10-year-olds and those above age 10, with an occasional adult who participates. Classes meet Saturdays for four hours.

Owens says, “The talent is absolutely amazing, with some students entering state art contests and winning!" She researches art tutorials online and is constantly finding new materials and techniques that she wants to try.

Besides working full time at Fuqua, Yori & Willard in Georgetown, Owens doesn’t seem to have time for her own painting. Her love for art began at a young age when she was given an art set for learning basic drawing and shading with charcoals.  Go to http://nanticokeriverartscouncil.org/Classes.html.