ORANGE BEACH, Ala. — Last December I arrived at Gulf Shores after the very long drive from Maine. I carried all my oil painting supplies and looked forward to capturing the colors of the Gulf and beach.

The first few weeks I enjoyed myself eating great fresh seafood, walking on the beach and basking in the sun on a few warm days. I didn’t enjoy what seemed to be a “writer’s block” in my attempts to start painting.

I saw an article about painting classes at the Orange Beach Art Center and decided to sign up. The class nurtured my creative needs and led to a great time.

Class members represented a wide range of experience and varied interests. Our teacher, Joanne Hall, was perceptive, patient and very generous with her time.

This year my first stop was the Orange Beach Arts Center. The renovations to the art studio and the addition of a glass works studio were a wonderful surprise.

My classmates and I are enjoying a rich pleine air experience outside and in the painting studio.

I think most students value comments and “feedback” from folks who view their work.

We are very happy that the OBAC has offered to include a Student Exhibition space at the March 13-14 Art Fair.

If you are an adult art student and would like to display your work at the fair, please join us. You can exhibit up to three works for a small fee.

First- and second-place prizes will be awarded from the fees we collect, and you will meet some great artists and artisans at the festival.

Call Peg Snyder or Charles DeArville for details at (251) 543-1888.