Thanks to a grant from the Polk County Community Foundation and the Mary F. Kessler fund, Tryon Painters & Sculptors will begin offering a series of free classes, the first being “Head Study in Oil” taught by Rich Nelson.

Nelson’s six-week class will be held on Fridays, from June 8 through July 13, from 1-4 p.m. downstairs at the Tryon Painters and Sculptors Gallery at 78 N. Trade St. in downtown Tryon. All materials will be supplied free of charge.

Classroom size is limited.

Oil portrait painter Nelson has lived in Tryon since 2004. Along with portraits, he also paints landscapes, still life and figurative work.

Instruction will help attendees work towards realism, good drawing and composition, and strong natural color in such a way that viewers can sense or “feel” the paint. People may learn more about Nelson on his website at  www.richardchristiannelson.com.

PCCF has long been a supporter of TPS and in this year’s grant, a portion was designated to be used by TPS to offer up to four instructional courses in 2018 at no cost to course for eligible participants.

Residents of Polk County and Landrum (ZIP code 29356), 16 or older, may take the class for free. TPS members and nonmembers who do not live inside of Polk County or the 29356 Landrum ZIP code can also take the class if there is room, but must pay their own way.           

For registration and additional information about this event as well as upcoming shows, classes, workshops and demonstrations, people may visit the TPS website at www.tryonpaintersandsculptors.com or come by the gallery and studios at 78 N. Trade St. in downtown Tryon.

People can also reach TPS by phone at 828-859-0141 and on Facebook.

– Submitted by Robin Turner