'Lunch With Art' will feature craft demo by Tara Shahan

West Plains Council on the Arts (WPCA) will host their quarterly "Lunch with Art" event for the public on Monday, Feb. 12, from 12:00 noon till 1:00 p.m. in the Community Room at the West Plains Public Library, 750 West Broadway, West Plains. Information on upcoming arts activities will be discussed by Arts Alliance members, then local artist Tara Shahan will demonstrate the technique for creating hand-painted alcohol-ink ornaments. Each attendee will have an opportunity to create one of these unique ornaments.

Multiple colors, shades, saturations and metallics are used in the design of each ornament to create different effects: marbling, melting, crackling, pitting, swirls, etc.  Ornaments measure approximately 3" in diameter.

Tara Shahan was raised in a small town in the Appalachian foothills of southern Ohio until about the age of 12 when her family moved to Missouri.  Her upbringing included being a member of 4-H, where most of her projects consisted of food, sewing and crafts taught by her mother, a 4-H leader. Tara won ribbons for her work at local and state fairs.  Her love of arts and crafts continued throughout her adult life and now she teaches workshops in the local area including north-central Arkansas.  Her art includes acrylic painting on canvas and wood as well as other craft projects such as doorhangers, wreaths, faux stained glass and glass etching to name a few.  Tara now lives in West Plains and has conducted local art and craft workshops for the West Plains Council on the Arts for about five years.

WPCA board members will open the luncheon with discussions on current plans, programs available through Arts Alliance partners, and invite discussion regarding future arts endeavors for the area. Each quarterly lunch is an opportunity to open conversations with current board members and contribute to the future of the arts in West Plains.

The cost of the luncheon is $10 for WPCA members, $15 for non-members. Reservations may be made online through the February 2024 Lunch with Art Facebook event page, by calling Paula at 417-293-2325, or via email paulasperaneo@gmail.com   Attendance is limited, so reserve your spot early.