HILL AIR FORCE BASE — The Painting with a Twist program previously held quarterly at the Landing is being revamped and will now be known as Creative Canvas with Carri to be held monthly at Hill Air Force Base to help people realize anyone can be an artist.
The upcoming class on Aug. 16 at 6 p.m., will be taught by 37-year-old Carri Schmidt, who has a degree in art with a focus in interior design. Schmidt has been devoting time to art for most of her life and hopes to share her joy with others.
“I am hoping folks at the end of the night can take a piece of artwork home and realize it’s not that hard,” Schmidt said. “A lot of people think they can’t paint or draw, and they are really surprised at the end, and feel a sense of achievement and pride. I hope this class pulls out a little bit of an artist in them.”
Janelle Brown, who oversees the programs held at The Landing, decided to it was time to take advantage of the military community and tie everyone together for the new program by utilizing the base’s own resources, including Schmidt, who is a military spouse on base.
“We want people to see how versatile we are and think outside of the box versus driving an hour away to Murray or Park City to get a similar program,” Brown said. “We want to make sure we are looking at our own community and tapping into our own resources.”
Through her husband’s eight deployments, Schmidt was able to turn to art as a stress reliever while taking care of their two kids, going to school, and working full-time.
“I needed an outlet, and some way to relieve my stress and involve the kids, and art is a nice calming place for me to go,” Schmidt said.
Schmidt reaffirms that participants in the class do not need any art training or background, as the class is open to every skill level. Schmidt plans to go through every step or brush stroke, and explain the techniques.
The class will also help people think outside the box, including painting without a paintbrush. Schmidt knows art can get expensive if people want it to, but points out that people don’t need fancy stuff to be creative.
“I will be teaching different techniques using different mediums, even using a plain old butter knife in our first class,” Schmidt said. “That’s the thing — people think you have to use certain tools, but there are no rules in art at all.”
Schmidt also wants to make sure people learn how to be creative and use their imagination. “I don’t want them looking at the next person’s art, thinking theirs has to look just like that. I want them to have fun and have an original piece of artwork, using their imagination, and being creative,” Schmidt said.
The plan is to hold a Creative Canvas with Carri class once a month with different themes. The Aug. 16 night is a ladies only night, but future classes will include parents with their children, holiday themes, or even a date night for couples.
The cost is $30 per person. Tickets are on sale at the ROTT office in the Landing, or at the Outdoor Recreation Tickets and Travel office. Doors open at 6 p.m. with a social hour, including cocktails. Painting begins at 7 p.m. for the two-hour class. Supplies will be provided.
