With the funds we received, we were able to hold a one day oil painting workshop for students from under resourced high schools on April 21, 2024. Students were provided with a full day of oil painting demonstrations and one on one instruction and student left with a completed painting. An oil painting set was given to each student to take home with them at the end of their session. This set included a set of 8 oil colors, medium for mixing paint, solvent and solvent jar for cleanup, 3 brushes, a palette knife, palette paper, and a color wheel.
The students that attended this workshop were selected by the art instructors in Willis High School, Caney Creek High School, and one homeschooled student. These gifted young adults had never had the opportunity to use oil paint because it is not offered in the school curriculum and because it is a fairly costly medium to use. Teachers reported back to us that the students returned extremely excited about using oil paint and with very positive comments about the instructor and the experience. The workshop resulted in one student entering the Conroe Art League annual student show. The art that student entered was sold at the exhibit (with all funds going to the student). The homeschooled student shared that her home had been completely flooded in the spring storms and that she lost all her possessions. She and her mother were temporarily living in a camper. This student was so excited to have a new set of art supplies after losing everything she had. Each of the students gained self-esteem and confidence a can be seen on their faces in the image submitted. We hope to make this or a similar workshop an annual event.