Press Room

Artist to Mentor Local Youth, Assist Adult Artists-In-Training

By: Brookings Arts Council Staff

Well-known, established Rapid City artist and youth mentor Mary Wipf will be in Brookings starting next Tuesday and will lead a two-day workshop in paper marbling for kids ages 6 to 14. On Wednesday and Thursday, she will work with adults who are interested in developing their drawing skills.

All the classes will be held at the Community Cultural Center, 524 4th St. There are still a few openings in all sections, however; the BAC encourages anyone who is interested to sign up to ensure they have an opportunity to participate in the class.

Paper marbling is an ancient artform that originated in France, Italy and England over five hundred years ago. It is a form of painting that relies on the tendency of oil not to mix with water. The "size" or oil part of the process is usually Carragheen moss (Irish Moss from the Carragheen Sea). Then paint mixed with ox-gall, the bile from the stomach of an ox, is added to the moss. The paint not only floats on top of the moss but spreads, due to the ox-gall, in all directions from the contact point.

A variety of color schemes can be achieved by layering, dripping, and randomly dropping these paints on the moss. It's up to the artist to then manipulate the pigments to produce exciting results.

The adult drawing class welcomes all skill levels.

The times for the marbling class and ages:

Develop your Drawings will be held on Wednesday and Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m.

To sign up for these classes, please log on to www.brookingsartscouncil.org. Click on Classes, where you can find a downloadable printable form. You can also sign up in person at the Community Cultural Center, 524 4th St, or by calling (605) 692-4177.