Work of art: Center of artistic endeavours in Lehigh

By Staff | Apr 13, 2016

MEL TOADVINE Art class at the Lehigh Acres Senior Citizens Center, at 219 Plaza Drive.

Walking the halls and different rooms at the Lehigh Acres Senior Citizens Center can be like a trek through an art gallery.

Paintings in different mediums hang on the walls. Some are for sale and others are hanging just to show you what a group of art lovers are doing at the center.

“Many of the paintings have price tags on them,” said Shirley Schuman, a snowbird from Illinois who is also the center’s art teacher and a prolific artist.

She has been painting for 60 years. She and her husband, Jack, come to Lehigh every winter.

“We have had a lot of people here who have come to learn to paint, those that have never picked up a brush and those who are more advanced,” Schuman said

MEL TOADVINE Shirley Schuman’s painting of her two children when they were young on display at the Lehigh Acres Senior Citizens Center. Schuman heads up the painting class the center.

The classes are free for members.

“We’ll even provide you will free paints and supplies if you drop in and tell us you want to learn to paint. It won’t cost you anything. Then later if you enjoy painting as much as other members, you can buy your own art suppliers. They are reasonable in price.”

The Learn to Paint class, or Painters Place, is held Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon.

During season, the number of artists and those who are learning to become an artist sometimes number as many as 16. But in the spring and summer, the class may drop down to half-dozen or fewer.

“It’s not a structured class. We all work together and I offer any help that is needed,” Schuman said.

The class will soon dwindle in size very soon, she said.

“My husband and I will be leaving for home back up north late in May. Other snowbirds have left and many more are heading north every day,” she said.

Schuman said that during fall and winter, the center is packed with members. She said that a lot of them are from up north.

Schuman noted that many of the paintings throughout the center have prices on them that are much lower than you will find in the cities up north or the art galleries.

“And these paintings are magnificent. Almost any scene you can think of is on the walls. Anyone can come and purchase one and even try to get the artist who is not offering her paintings for sale, to change her mind,” Schuman said.

“It’s really a treat to see so much great talent on our walls,” she said.

One painting is a framed one of Schuman’s son and daughter, painted when they were children.

Schuman said that after she leaves to home up north, those who enjoy painting can still use the room and they do.

“There may be a few people, two and three sometimes, there to paint and enjoy each other’s company. I look forward to new paintings on those walls when I come back next fall,” she said.

If you love art, make a trip to the center to see the paintings.

“You will be amazed,” she said.

: MEL TOADVINE Shirley Schuman’s painting of her two children when they were young on display at the Lehigh Acres Senior Citizens Center. Schuman heads up the painting class the center.