Throughout the art exhibit and beyond, Don ​Tyson students in Craig Pasquinzo’s class ​filmed this amazing documentary on our ​beloved centenarian Mary Talbert.

Join us as we gather in the Great Hall at ​Crystal Bridges Museum to celebrate Mary ​Talbert and the incredibly talented students ​from Don Tyson School of Innovation.

“The Golden Creatives Centennial Celebration for Mary ​and Friends” was a project of the Medium’s 2023-2024 ​Creative Exchange Fund. Supported by the Tyson ​Family Foundation, the Creative Exchange Fund ​provides crucial support to artists like Carla Nemec and ​Kathleen Siegfried by offering time, funding, and space ​to fuel creative innovation and strengthen community ​engagement in downtown Springdale.

Please take a moment to watch this incredible video created by the students of ​Don Tyson School of Innovation under the expert guidance of their instructor, ​Mr. Craig Pasquinzo. A heartfelt thank you to Mr. Pasquinzo and all the students ​involved! I eagerly await the release of the full-length version they're currently ​working on. Stay tuned for updates! I'm continually amazed by the talent and ​creativity of the students at Don Tyson School of Innovation. Much love and ​appreciation to all!

If you haven't visited The Golden Creatives Art Exhibition, please come see our ​spectacular collection of art from 10am - 5pm, Tues through Thurs at The ​Medium, 214 S.Main St., Springdale 72764.

introduction

Our “Golden Creatives” exhibit celebrates the talent, wisdom and ​unique perspectives of senior artists, especially the vast collection of ​our centennial artist, Mary Talbert. Please join us for an adventure in ​art where every stroke of a brush, dance of a pen, or click of a camera ​becomes our artists’ journey of self-expression on canvas.

The ultimate goal of our exhibition is to celebrate all senior artists and ​to provide intergenerational collaboration with students and art lovers ​throughout Northwest Arkansas. We will offer a wide variety of ​engaging presentations and free art classes for all ages. We are also ​offering volunteer opportunities for students to support and contribute ​to our local community. All events are FREE, though we ask that you ​register at Eventbrite for classes and grand opening.

Every masterpiece crafted by our 'Golden Creatives' unfolds a new ​chapter, and each artistic medium serves as a distinct language. Let’s ​begin our exploration of the “Golden Creatives” as they etch their ​signature onto the canvas of time.

meet the artists

Mary Talbert

Mary Talbert, 99, discovered that she was an artist in ​elementary school when “the boys asked me for my ​drawings of horses.” Later she joined the Art ​Department at Halls Brothers, now Hallmark, before ​marrying and moving to Arkansas. Primarily self-taught, ​she has never stopped creating art in a range of media ​and styles that include painting in watercolor, oil, ​pencil, pastel and acrylic as well as glass etching. In ​her signature impressionistic style, Mary enjoys painting ​Arkansas scenes with a focus on movement and the ​subject matter of everyday life. In her West Fork home, ​surrounded by hundreds of paintings and her beloved ​cat, she paints nearly every day. She is excited to ​celebrate her 100th birthday at the Medium, sharing her ​work with family and friends.

Terry Dushan

A traditional fine art photographer for 35 years, Terry ​Dushan exhibited in shows and competitions in Europe ​and the United States. She turned to digital ​photography for recent works, which are inspired by a ​fascination with patterns in nature and exotic designs ​she sees in everyday life. Her abstract compositions ​mirror the original photograph but expand far beyond it ​as she challenges herself to produce original works that ​fire the imagination and emotions of viewers.

Gary Johnson

Gary Johnson has won numerous awards for his imaginative work, primarily in watercolor and occasionally acrylic. His works have been shown throughout the United States, China, and Europe. He enjoys experimenting with color, texture, and subject matter that ranges from detailed studies to broad natural themes. Known for his unique abstract watercolor paintings, this self-taught artist is a popular workshop presenter and teacher.

Bunny Hellweg

Helen “Bunny” Helweg considers herself a realist whose ​best moments happen when she sits back, satisfied with ​a portrait she has completed in colored pencil. ​Fascinated with the human face, she has never grown ​tired of discovering the personality that is there, ​uniquely different every time. What she hopes to ​capture is human connection. And inside the bag she ​always carries with her is a small drawing pad, and a ​Number 2 pencil.

exhibition

ART IS THE SILENT LANGUAGE OF THE SOUL,

TRANSCENDING BOUNDARIES AND

SPEAKING TO THE HEART,

REMINDING US OF OUR SHARED HUMANITY

AND THE BEAUTY THAT CONNECTS US ALL.

Celebrating Mary Talbert’s 100th ​Birthday at our Golden Creatives

Art Exhibition Grand Opening.

Volunteer students from

Don Tyson School of

Innovation helped make

our exhibit a successful

and entertaining

evening!

“Exciting Watercolor”

Gary Johnson - Instructor

Gary Johnson is a watercolor artists with a wide-range of painting styles, ​from abstract to still life and landscapes. Gary is well known for the ​popular watercolor classes that he offers. For his class please bring the ​following materials:

• Various sizes of round watercolor brushes (No. 6, 8, 10)
  
• A 1/2" flat brush for watercolor
• A plastic palette or white ceramic plate (approx. 8"x12")
• Watercolor paints: alizarin crimson, ultramarine blue, hans yellow, sap ​green, burnt Sienna & other colors you like
• 11" x 15" sheet of 140 lb cold press watercolor paperor a 10" x 14" block
• Water container
• Paper towels
• a 2H pencil
• An eraser, extra soft like a “Factis” that is white
• Bring a photo of what you’d like to paint, perhaps a landscape, barn ​or some such scene
• 1" wide Masking tape (general purpose Scotch #2050)
• A board on which to tape down the watercolor paper. Board should be ​larger than the watercolor sheet. With a block this isn’t necessary.
• Extra items if you have them: masking fluid & brush, sea sponge for ​texture, toothbrush for spatter, spray bottle, credit card for scraping, ​small amount of salt

A great time was had by all at The Golden Creatives “Exciting Watercolor” class ​taught by art instructor extraordinaire Gary Johnson.

Hi Everyone,

I wanted to take the time to thank you all for coming to my watercolor workshop. Painting a scene like ​we did usually takes a bit more time, but I felt we covered the basics well enough for you to make a ​really nice painting and…………all of you did. I was really impressed with your abilities and would like ​you to know that you are all fine artists in your own right.

I hope you can join me in the future for more workshops. I plan to teach some in Rogers at the ANA ​Gallery/RXH on Walnut and 2nd St. I also will be teaching workshops in Fayetteville at the Sequoyah ​United Methodist Church on Old Wire Road. For you seniors, I do a free workshop at the Schmieding ​Center for Senior Health and Education starting in March. I do this one every month on a Thursday. ​Go to my website to see the latest postings for workshops. I’m currently trying to schedule one in ​Rogers or Fayetteville or both for sometime in April. I should know shortly the dates for those.

Again, I thank you for your interest in my class.

See you again soon,

Gary Johnson

http://www.garyjohnsonfineart.com

“My Journey In Art”

Mary Talbert & Terry Dushan

Please join artists Mary Talbert and Terry Dushan as they share their

extraordinary journey in the world of art. Mary sharing stories of her first ​day working for Halls Brothers, now known as Hallmark Cards. Mary has ​created art in many forms and mediums, everything from etched glass ​art to carved wooden birds to painting with most mediums over decades ​of creating.

Terry Dushan’s artistic parents inspired in her a deep appreciation for ​art in all its forms, especially in her understanding of the principals of ​color and composition, as they visited art museums around the world. ​She considers herself extremely fortunate to have experienced a wealth ​of culture, tastes, scenes and people of diverse backgrounds.

Both artists oast an impressive array of accolades garnered from local ​and national juried art competitions and expeditions. Prepare to be ​inspired as they weave heartwarming narratives that will kindle the ​flames of your artistic passions, guiding you on an exhilarating journey ​of creative discovery.

Mary Talbert and Stan Dark ​share their extraordinary ​journey in the world of art. ​Terry Dushan was unable to ​attend so her sister, Kate ​Siegenthaler, gave a ​wonderful presentation of ​Terry’s amazing ​international art journey.

“Watercolor Landscapes”

Gerald “Scout” Hatley - Instructor

Gerald Hatley is a watercolor artist who creates gentle yet captivating ​landscapes that are characterized by a distinctive palette and style ​that is both realistic and impressionistic.

For Gerald’s class on Atmospheric Landscapes With Watercolors, you ​will need the following basic materials:

• 1 - small tube Prussian Blue (Pthalo Blue - substitute)
  
• 1 - small tube Vermillion (Cad Red Med - substitute)
• 1 - small tube New Gamboge (Cad Yellow Med - substitute)
• 1 - small tube Burnt Umber (Van Dyke Brown - substitute)

• 1 - 3/4" flat watercolor brush
• 1 - #6 round watercolor brush
• 1 - 9" x 12" binder (12 sheets or less) of 140 lb test, cold pressed ​watercolor paper
• 1 - Small watercolor palatte 2/ 4-6 pockets
• Masking tape (blue)
• Paper towels

Scout led an ​exceptional ​watercolor class ​where everyone ​enjoyed learning ​and painting ​“Atmospheric ​Landscapes.”

“Following Form & Shape”

Stan Dark - Instructor

Stan Dark is a painter, illustrator, and designer that works in a variety of mediums, from pencils to oil paints. Known for his bold use of color and realistic art style.

Stan will be teaching how to do graphite pencil drawings by following the form and shape of your subject. From distant images to close-up detail, form and shape can help you create interest in your artwork. There will be exercises and drawing time.

Materials Needed:

• HB Drawing Pencil
  
• Ebony Pencil
• Pencil Sharpener
• Tracing Paper

Stan Dark, President of Artists of ​NWA, demonstrating the art of ​capturing form and shape through ​graphite pencil drawing techniques.

“The Magic Of AI”

Dave Floyd - Instructor

Starting at the age of 13, Dave Floyd’s journey with his guitar has ​spanned nearly six decades. From rock bands, to church praise teams ​to 5 years with the band Riverstone while in Austin, TX, music has ​always been his steadfast companion. Once retired, Dave chose to ​cultivate a new skill set and turned to Photoshop to create digital art. ​This past year the transformative power of AI caught his attention and ​became an exhilarating and challenging pursuit.Dave now ​predominantly creates art using AI. Convinced of its myriad uses, he ​began offering classes to share the wonders of the AI world.

Embark on an exploration of the intersection between AI and life with ​Dave’s complimentary AI class. In this immersive experience, you'll ​delve into diverse realms such as art, AI applications in education and ​business, and the profound impacts AI is poised to have on our present ​and future. Our journey will encompass the art of storytelling/ ​scriptwriting, guiding you through the creation of visuals, generating ​audio from text, and crafting a concise video narrative.This engaging ​class requires no additional materials, as all necessary resources are ​readily available on the website I established to impart lessons on the ​ever-expanding realm of AI. For those eager to actively participate, ​feel free to bring your laptop and join in the interactive experience. ​Together, we'll uncover the fascinating intersections where AI and life ​converge.

Our AI class, spearheaded by Dave ​and Jordan Floyd, was truly ​exceptional! Dave skillfully navigated ​through AI applications spanning art, ​education, business, writing, and ​even health, offering invaluable ​insights and fostering a profound ​learning experience.

“Pen & Ink Drawing”

Marvin Lindley - Instructor

An art teacher for 37 years, Marvin Lindley is widely known for his pen and ​ink wildlife work but is also a proficient watercolor and acrylic painter. A ​native Arkansan, he is an outdoorsman whose appreciation for nature is ​prominent in his work. This versatile artist has also worked professionally ​as a commercial artist. Now in retirement, he focuses primarily on creating ​special original works to meet individual requests, both sentimental and ​historical—from pets to family homesteads and vintage buildings.

For Marvin’s pen and ink drawing class all basic materials will be ​furnished. However, for those who prefer to bring their own supplies ​please bring the following:

• Extra fine point black pen (Pilot V5 extra fine or similar)
  
• Bristol paper 17" x 14" or 11" x 14"
• Pencil with eraser
• White printer paper
• Black & white Photos/copies or ideas for possible projects

Coach Marvin Lindley guided his team ​of artists to triumph in last night’s ​pen and ink drawing class...an ​absolutely outstanding class! Many ​thanks to Coach Lindley!