An Art School Experience

Would-be artists get an opportunity to learn and explore creativity.

Written By Cynthia McFarland

For many would-be artists, attending art school is only a dream.

Artist Thom Thomas cherished the year he spent in art school and how it enhanced his career. Eager to share these priceless lessons with local students, Thomas has teamed up with Ocala Recreation and Parks to teach the new class, An Art School Experience, for ages 18 and older.

The course began on July 29 and runs through November 11 at the Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place in Ocala. Classes are held on Saturdays from 10:30am to 12:30pm. The four-month class offers a concentrated experience of going to art school, hence the course’s name.

“This class is for anyone who has a passion to do art. I want to help people find their voice through doing artwork,” says Thom.

Although advertised as a painting class, Thom also gives drawing instruction and demonstrations to help students with their painting. Students will primarily work in acrylic paints, charcoal and graphite (pencil).

“To take this class you don’t have to know anything about art,” says Thom, who shares vital foundational information on methods and techniques. “We’ll start with the basic elements: line, shapes, form, texture, positive and negative space, color and value.”

The first four weeks of the class will be an introduction to the art process, so attendees gain an understanding of working with mediums and material and aren’t trying to learn design process at the same time.

Thom explains that every artist develops their own working process and mindset. He’s structured the class to help students do just that.

“This is a program where students don’t have to be bogged down with all the principles and elements of design but to work with them in the background,” says Thom. “I don’t teach people to paint or draw. I teach them methods and techniques for application.”

An Ocala resident for 18 years, Thom specializes in graphite and charcoal. He has worked as a graphic artist and had a successful greeting card line.

An Art School Experience is for adults (age 18+) and runs Saturdays from July 29 through November 11, 2023, from 10:30am-12:30pm. Cost per person is $100 for the full course or $35 monthly. Classes are held at the Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place at 1821 NW 21st Avenue, Ocala.