It’s a messy, messy business … but the figurine you create makes it well worthwhile.
The 11 students who attended a Paverpol art workshop at Barrhead’s Anglican Church on Saturday, Jan. 26 certainly weren’t complaining.
They arrived unsure what to expect, bringing with them such items as old cotton T-shirts, tinfoil and tape, as well as talent and boundless enthusiasm.
They left with little sculptures that could decorate a living room, patio or garden.
A non-toxic, water-based decoration and textile hardener, Paverpol makes rock-hard materials of textile, fabrics, paper, leather, moss, tree branches and more.
Fibres are normally dipped in Paverpol and wrapped around a sturdy base or armature.
“It was a lot of fun and very messy,” laughed Dorothy Kruse, who produced a wonderful figurine of her son, Thomas, sitting on log as he played a Greek musical instrument called a bouzouki. “It was my first attempt at Paverpol art.”
Lorna Schafer, a Barrhead Art Club member, was another first-timer thrilled by the experience.
Her creation was called “artist at the beach.” When the Leader arrived, she was applying some finishing touches.
“I am going to give her a parasol, a sketch pad and a pen,” she said.
The Barrhead Art Club-hosted workshop was run by well-known local artists Marilynn Jeffery and Maureen Flinn – sometimes referred to as the two Ms – who have become instructors in Paverpol art.
Last year they took a course and will be holding workshops in Westlock on the first Saturday of every month.
Although the Barrhead class was a one-off, the response was so encouraging that Jeffery and Flinn intend holding another one in the town.
“Today was awesome,” said Jeffery. “There was a very good turnout and everybody had a great time.”
For more information, including costs, contact Jeffery at 780-674-4525 or Flinn at 780-954-2548, or visit the gallery, next to Peppers’ Family Restaurant.
