Carnegie Library’s Art Classes Spark Creativity And Community

When the City of Lawton's Arts and Humanities Division started offering art classes at the historic Carnegie Library, I was initially excited for two reasons. One, it would be an opportunity to learn from some of the area's top artists. Two, it would give a neglected historic building new life.

And my excitements were some of the exact reasons the division started offering the classes. But after taking this spring's watercolor class with local artist Katherine Liontas-Warren, I discovered that there's a third, more important reason, for these classes: community.

Lawton citizens from all walks of life came together to paint.

Even as an adult you can still get first-day-of-school jitters, because I had them the first night of my watercolor class at Carnegie Library. I was familiar with the instructor because I had interviewed her numerous times when I worked at The Lawton Constitution. But I hadn't taken a class from her, which was the exciting part about the class.

However, there was still a twinge of nervousness as I laid out my notepad, unwrapped my paints and set up my brushes. I looked around the room and saw some familiar faces, not friends or acquaintances, but women I had seen at various art functions in town. And there were also women I had not met or seen before.

The class was made up of 12 students and one teacher, all women, and on the first night, we performed the standard ritual of going around the class and introducing ourselves. Most of the women were retired, some were educators and one was a graphic designer. Others were rushing in right at 6 p.m. after work or wrapping up the day at their locally owned business.

One thing we all had in common though was that we all had times in our lives where we enjoyed some form of art, and we all decided to take the class to find that spark again.

Our class at Carnegie Library allowed us to gain new friends and reconnect with old acquaintances.

Some of the classes offered at Carnegie Library are conducted once a week over six to eight weeks. But our watercolor class this spring was within one week. We spent three hours each night painting flowers in one of the back rooms of the library. We learned various techniques from Liontas-Warren, and breathed many "oos" and "awes" at her demonstrations.

Three hours each night for four consecutive days may sound like a lot of time for a watercolor class, but for us, it wasn't enough. Each night flew by, not just with painting and learning, but also with snacks, laughter, silence, chatting, blow dryers, the roaring of a LATS bus, singing of birds, and one night of blowing out a fuse.

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I have a habit of ease-dropping, and I learned this week that I'm able to still do so even when I'm trying to get my watercolors to blend. And I heard little chats that, at the time, may have seemed simple, but truly spoke to what these classes are meant for at the core.

I heard women talk about the last class they took together at Carnegie Library. I listened to various positive comments our instructor gave to individuals about their work, and her little insights when needed. I noticed when some of the women realized they had went to high school together and began to reminisce. And a few times I heard one say to another, "I'm so glad you're here."

Taking a class or joining a club is what makes a community.

Over the years, whether it be due to technology or a pandemic, there has been a steep decline in people participating in local civic clubs or nonprofit organizations. For whatever reason, the necessities for being a part of a community, whether for personal or societal needs, has been left out of life's curriculum.

Now with a nation steeped in division, it's more important than ever to make community involvement a required course, rather than an elective. And getting involved in your community is easy when you dedicate yourself to something you're passionate about. Whether it's art, politics, helping people in need or protecting the environment, communities have either civic clubs or nonprofit organizations dedicated to these causes.

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Getting involved in your community benefits the community as a whole because you help do the good work that most organizations are dedicated to, like picking up trash or building accessible ramps. But these groups also weave webs of connections between its members that support individuals in a community.

They may bring couples or friends together, but regardless what kinds of relationships are formed, it still instills a community connection. And that's when individuals invite in personal benefits of community involvement. Being a part of the group introduces you to people who also care about what you care about. You form friendships. You help your community together. And you build a sense of pride, together.

If you're not sure where to get involved in Lawton, one easy way is by taking a simple art class at Carnegie Library. You're guaranteed to walk away with more than a newfound love for watercolors.