Photograph by Jeff Kearns

Janet Kerr, who facilitates the Friday Art Workshop, asks Myron Karopp a question about his abstract painting.




Weekly workshop is a great deal for artists

By Shari Kaplan

For longtime Los Gatan Janet Kerr and other members of the Friday Art Workshop, the informal weekly gatherings have become a testament to the saying "if you build it, they will come"--and, in this case, create!

The workshop meets Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon in the Los Gatos Neighborhood Center, 208 E. Main St. According to Kerr, it began in the 1970s and was originally held at the Los Gatos Recreation Center under the direction of Edith Buehler, a retired Los Gatos school teacher.

Local artist Ray Stowell later took over as coordinator and saw the group grow and relocate to its present location downstairs in the Neighborhood Center. When Stowell died in February 1998, the group was left with his books and tapes dealing with art, but no leader. Kerr took the reigns--but very loosely, she is quick to add.

"Everyone is welcome and some very good art is produced. Participants work in the media of their choice and help each other with encouragement and suggestions. Instruction is offered to help beginners get started," she says.

Many participants enjoy the group's come-as-you-are friendliness and do-what-you-will freedom, Kerr adds. Yearly registration costs $1, with a 50-cent fee for each class. Not a bad deal for all the practice, constructive criticism and camaraderie.

"I thought it would be fun to do so I tried it. My husband and I like art and always go to museums," says Kerr, a workshop participant for some 15 years and a docent at the Los Gatos Museum of Fine Art and Natural History. "I had virtually no artistic talent [at first], but anyone can improve their talent by working at it."

Many agree with Kerr. Los Gatan Myron Karopp, a participant for nearly two years, knew the basics of art from his years as an elementary school teacher but didn't really expand his talents until retirement. He then began looking for creative outlets, finding them in dance lessons, drama and art.

"I looked at other art classes but they were too structured--everyone came out with the same thing," Karopp says of why he likes the informal workshop.

"What's nice about this class is if I didn't come here, I probably wouldn't do a thing [artistically]--it's too much trouble to get all the art supplies out at home. When you're retired, you need to get engaged with something. When you touch that brush to the canvas, you're engaged!"

For Los Gatan Margaret Stroy, a workshopper for three or four years, it's the sense of place and people that keeps her coming back. "The people I meet here are interesting. This is also a nice relaxation for me, away from cooking and cleaning and dusting," she says with a smile.

"The group is so sweet and I've learned so much from all the lovely artists," agrees San Jose resident Rebecca White, whose husband Nick sometimes attends with her. A five-year veteran, she got involved a little differently from the rest--her mother-in-law needed a ride to the group and that's how White discovered it.

Shirley Williams, one of the newest members, is slowly rediscovering her creative bent. "I haven't taken a class in years and this is just perfect. We all do what we want to do, and Janet is very good at making suggestions and keeping things going. I feel like I'm accomplishing something I haven't done in years."

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