Hello PIAA Artists,

Summer has flown by like a shimmering bird I see out of the side of my eye, and when I turn my head to get a bead on it and identify it, it’s already gone! Painting in the Wednesday and Friday classes, enjoying lunches at Adria with the Friday morning students, punctuated by a trip north to visit one set of kids at the Jersey shore and another in Center City Philadelphia,  plus two theatre performances thrown in there, has really made this summer an exciting one for me. I hope it’s been the same for you.

And who says there are no seasons in Florida? Who can miss the subtle changes in the light and in the scent of the air in the early morning? It’s different, it’s new, and it’s full of hope. We’re ready to be back- to look forward to the joy of painting, to sharing the excitement of a new idea or vision, to learning a new technique, to coming home to that which centers us in a troubled world. I’ve missed you. Welcome back.

Please look over the class schedule. In both the fall and winter listings, there is an indication of which classes are already full. Payment and registration guarantees you a spot in the class of your choice. Please take care of that as soon as possible in order to get a spot in your favorite class.

Fall classes begin October 1 and run through December 19.   We will be closed Thanksgiving Week and from December 20 through January 2.   The issue of classes which miss days because of the calendar actually resolves itself over a period of years.  As usual there will be no make-up classes.   Dianna Willman, Dorayne Lombardo, Betty Wedeles and Ann McCarty Sickels will be teaching.

Winter session runs from January 5 to April 30.   Along with our Fall faculty, Cyndi Egan will be returning   with a Tuesday morning class. Please note the larger selection of available classes in the winter session. Along with these, look over the fine selection of Short Sessions and Workshops. Dianna Willman’s Portrait Step by Step looks fascinating, as do her Basic Watercolor and Drawing sessions.  Gordon’s Drawing with Pen and Brush is a winner every time.  It certainly inspired me to love drawing!    Mel Meo’s  “Florida Highwaymen Workshop” is always a popular choice.  Due to recent health issues, Stan Wisniewski would like to do something a little less rigorous this time, perhaps a series of free critiques of our work. We’ll wait for his announcement on this one.

I look forward to seeing many of you who will be back in time to attend the first General Membership Meeting on October 3.  Travel safe, be well and happy, and enjoy this life in all its colors.

Best,