SMALL TOWN, BIG TALENT: Art Classes Bring Creative Edge to Crosby

Divide County High School (DCHS), and community members Roderick Schoefield, Emily Richardson and Valerie Tracy are working together to bring the community exciting opportunities to experience art in a new way.

“A lot of people think art is just drawing and painting, but it’s so much more than that. It’s really about creating something meaningful and using a variety of tools to do that.” Muncaster says. A St. Louis, MO native, she moved to Crosby when her husband, John, accepted a position as a math instructor at DCHS. She also took a job at the school as a paraprofessional while working towards an art degree at Minot State University – which led to her current role as the art instructor at DCHS. Allison shares, “I’ve always had a passion for art, my dad and grandma were both artists and I spent a lot of time at craft fairs growing up. Painting, photography, and stained glass art are some of my favorites, but I love to try new things.”

That love for art inspired her to get involved with Art Jam, a group of local artists who get together once a month at Henny’s to create. “Roderick is really the one who got it going. We hangout, chat, do art –just be creative together. We usually have a topic for the month, and then everyone just creates based around that using whatever mediums they prefer – watercolor, pencil drawings etc.

Crafters could even come and make a project – it’s open to anyone who enjoys creating unique pieces of art.”

While Art Jam is open to anyone, the group realized that there may be others in Crosby who might be interested in art, but weren’t sure how to get involved.

“Emily, Val, Roderick and I decided to work together to provide an opportunity for the community to experience different types of art,” notes Muncaster. “The Meadowlark Arts Council sponsored the supplies for the classes, and we decided to just start putting it out there, hanging flyers and posting all over social media. We really didn’t know what to expect.” As it turns out, about 17 people, adults and children, turned out for the first class, held April 1st. “We wanted to do something fun and engaging for everyone, so we did a ‘painting with bubbles’ project. Bubble solution and food coloring was mixed together, and then the bubbles were blown onto paper. It was a great time for everyone, and we learned more about what worked well and what didn’t, so we can make the next class an even better experience.”

When Muncaster isn’t co- hosting a community art class, you’ll find her teaching students at DCHS via in-person classes and over ITV (Interactive Television) to students in other school districts. “I really love giving students the op- portunity to express themselves through art. We do painting, sculpture, abstract art – and I try to incorporate new things they might show interest in. I always tell my students ‘you really can’t be wrong in art – art is felt, it’s freedom of expression. You just have to find your niche.’” Allison also reminds students that the beauty of art is often in the eye of the beholder. “One of my favorite things to do is show them a piece of art and ask them how much they think it sold for. It’s not uncommon to get responses like “That looks ridiculous - Maybe $10,” – and the reaction when I tell them that it actually sold for 40 million dollars is priceless. It really opens their minds to the possibilities – that art doesn’t have to be ‘beautiful’ for it to have meaning and value to the owner.”

Students at DCHS have two opportunities each year to display their works of art during the Art Showcase, held once in the fall at the end of the 1st semester, and again at the end of the year, in collaboration with the music department’s spring concert. “It’s a great opportunity for the community to see the wide range of artistically talented youth we have right here in Crosby,” says Muncaster.

For those interested in attending an Art Jam session or an upcoming art class, information can be found via Facebook on the “Art Jam Discussion Group” page, as well as being posted to the local community pages. “Art is for everyone,” notes Allison. “We want people to know that they don’t have to have any special talents to join in. Just give it a try – come with an open mind and a desire to create and you just might be surprised.”