Group hopes to make art more accessible

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Jan. 24--Maybe the only thing better than seeing a painting at an art museum is getting to see one in progress.

That's why a newly founded organization wants to offer art demonstrations to art lovers hungry for more than the finished product, but for the process as well. The artists who belong to the North End Artist's Co-op put on their outreach that takes place each Saturday at the Yuma Art Center.

"We just want to give people in our community the chance to view and learn about a wide variety of art," said Pam Dusek, arts program supervisor for the Art Center.

Artists from North End Artist's Co-op began giving these demonstrations Jan. 7. They now continue each Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., sharing their talents in mediums ranging from painting and pottery to glass work and jewelry making. Dusek added that future members could represent mediums like sculpture, photography and fiber arts.

Admission to the demonstration events, which also offer art for sale, is free to the public.

Dusek said the art co-op was created not only for outreach events like these, but also with the goal of furthering artists' exposure in the community while providing them with added opportunity to showcase their work.

On Saturday Debi Plum will host a ceramics demonstration, and Cortni King Sinz will share her painting talent.

The demonstration nature of these events is why they are held in the center's United Building, versus the more formal art museum two doors down. The venue is just south of the Historic Yuma Theatre.

So far the North End Artist's Co-op has seven members, a number Dusek said she expects to increase.

"At this point we are still accepting members," Dusek said. "We will open membership to artists once a year in the future."

She added that the current open door will likely last through March. People wanting more information on membership should call 373-5206.

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