One of the four main program areas housed within the Pike County Cooperative Extension Service is Pike County Extension Fine Arts, or “Pike Arts.” Pike is one of only a few counties across the state of Kentucky to be fortunate enough to have a Fine Arts program and a Fine Arts Agent at their local Cooperative Extension office. Currently, Pike Arts organizes many arts projects throughout the county, including but not limited to the Artists Collaborative Theatre in Elkhorn City, the Hatfield & McCoy Arts Council and Blood Song theatre project in McCarr, the Appalachian Symphony band which offers free music lessons to the public, as well as playing a major supporting role in many downtown Pikeville arts projects and businesses.
One more project to add to the ever growing list of arts activities in Pike County is the recent start of free monthly art classes at Pike County Extension. Once a month, Pike Arts will offer a free art class to the public for ages six and up, including adults of all ages.
Garlene Layne-Abshire and her son, Dustin, show off their finished pieces: a bright orange sunset and a yellow-faced ladybug.
“People with all skill levels are welcome and all supplies will be included. The only requirement to join in is an enthusiastic desire to learn and create,” said Emily Nelson, Fine Arts program assistant and art class instructor.
In May and June, rock painting classes were held as a way to join in on the painted rock scavenger hunt craze that hit Pikeville earlier this year. A third rock painting class is planned for Friday, July 28th at 2 pm. Class spots are limited, so early pre-registration is important. While rock painting has made for a fun summer activity, Pike Arts plans to switch it up in the coming months with a variety of different kinds of classes.
To keep up with class schedules and future arts activities, contact Pike County Extension at (606) 432-2534 and request to have your email address added to the Fine Arts announcements database. Interested individuals may also stay informed on art classes and much more by visiting the Fine Arts Extension website at pike.ca.uky.edu/FineArts or by ‘liking’ the UK Extension – Pike County Fine Arts Facebook page at facebook.com/UKPikeArts. Pike County Extension is located at 148 Trivette Dr. in Pikeville, KY.
Participants paint a red flower and a blue bird on their rocks during the May art class.
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