WINTER SCENERY — The birds showcased above, including a snow owl, bullfinches and snowbirds, will be the focus of the art that will be done by those participating in the upcoming Come Paint with Our Artists session, put on by the Steubenville Art Association at the Center of Music and Art in Wintersville. The class will be held Jan. 15 and is open to all area residents. -- Contributed

STEUBENVILLE — The calendar has flipped.

A brand-new year has unfolded before us, its pages crisp and white, much like an untouched canvas waiting for the first stroke of a brush.

And as we look toward the promise of another start, a new beginning, so are the members of the Steubenville Art Association.

SAA President Judy Schmidt announced the group is sending out a heartfelt wish for 2026, hoping this year will “be the best ever for everyone in the community.”

It is a sentiment that resonates deeply during these first days of January.

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A time when we often reflect on where we have been and where we hope to go.

“We are all hoping that when you sat down to make those New Year’s resolutions, you made sure to include a little bit of art in your plans,” Schmidt commented.

And before you think that such a resolution is reserved only for those who already know their way around an easel … think again.

No, you do not have to join the club to work with the artists.

Nor do you have to sign any kind of document committing you to attend a specific number of classes.

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Any member of the community — regardless of their age or talent — is welcome to attend any of the upcoming workshops being offered.

“The Steubenville Art Association is ready to welcome you with open arms to come and spend some time with our local artists,” Schmidt stated.

One does not have to be an accomplished artist to participate in classes, workshops or to join the association.

In fact, those who have never so much as held a paintbrush between their fingers or taken an art class in the past may just find they possess a hidden talent they never knew they had.

“The SAA has a wonderful lineup of workshops to help you do just that,” Schmidt continued.

EMBELLISHED IMPRESSIONS — This image of the bird in its nest is the art that will be used in the Steubenville Art Association’s Embellished Impressions workshop to take place in March. -- Contributed

Perhaps the most encouraging news for those looking to explore their creative side is the affordability of these sessions.

Schmidt noted the previous cost to attend a workshop was $40.

Today, each workshop is being offered at the cost of $25.

That $15 decrease in fees has been made possible for two reasons, Schmidt explained.

Not only are the artists of the SAA giving freely of their time to conduct these workshops for members and public participants, but the club has received state grant money for the purpose of continuing its mission.

FINDING TIME FOR ART — Christina Collins is a member of the Steubenville Art Association. The mother of six just finished her first semester at Naropa University in Colorado, receiving straight A’s. She is studying online for a bachelors of art in art therapy. The mother, student and artist is a valued member of the SAA and was congratulated on her successes by officials with the group. -- Contributed

“Thank you to all of the SAA artists who give of their own time to offer these workshops,” Schmidt stated. “And we have been blessed to have received grants from the Ohio Arts Council, which is an Ohio state agency whose goal is to promote the arts around the state and especially here, in Jefferson County.”

The excitement will begin Jan. 15, when the SAA holds its newly-formed Come Paint with Our Artists session.

This three-hour class was first begun in late fall and is scheduled to take place from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Center of Music and Art in Wintersville.

The $25 fee, per person, includes all of the supplies participants will need to create this month’s project — a serene winter bird scene.

Attendees can choose from a selection of birds, including snow owls or bright orange and black bullfinches sitting atop snow-covered branches.

The Come Paint with Our Artists class differs from the Paint n’ Sip class, according to Schmidt, who explained club members will be on site to assist anyone who may need help or to answer any questions or provide feedback.

These particular sessions offer attendees an opportunity to choose what level they would like to work at on the project.

For example, pre-drawn canvases will be available for guests who may be hesitant to draw.

These individuals will only be responsible for the painting portion of the winter bird scene, as the figures have already been drawn on the canvas.

Then, there will be tracing patterns available for those who do not feel comfortable drawing by free-hand yet, but who still want to design their own painting.

Completed paintings will be showcased for those who opt to create their own artwork and who feel they are capable of reaching this level.

“Our artists are reaching out to anyone who would like to do their own art, regardless of their ability,” Schmidt stated.

Another difference between the Come Paint with Our Artists sessions and Paint n’ Sip classes is the supplies needed for the project are included in the $25 charge.

This includes not only the canvases, paints and brushes, but the many embellishments provided for those who like to get creative.

Artists will have access to rhinestones, ribbons, silk flowers, fall leaves and attachable items to make one’s painting stand out from the others.

The reason for incorporating this type of class in the SAA’s calendar is to involve the entire community — allowing everyone who is interested in art the chance to participate.

The SAA’s first formal workshop of the year quickly follows the Come Paint with Our Artists event.

Art association members Tammy Rogers and Jeana Parr will demonstrate the artistic wonders of the Cricut machine from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 17 at the Center of Music and Art.

A watercolor and collage workshop will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Fort Steuben Visitor Center in downtown Steubenville.

Retired art teacher Gina Judy of Richmond will lead the workshop.

“Gina is highly educated and has several years of experience in teaching art,” Schmidt stated. “This combination of paint and paper is going to test our creativity, so we encourage the public to come and try the class, regardless of the type of art they normally do or don’t do.”

Judy has had her works displayed in several exhibitions throughout the country.

Embellished Impressions will be the featured workshop offered from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on March 28.

This workshop will be instructed by sisters and SAA members Joyce Beatty and Nancy Wright.

Wright is a resident of Chester who is an impressionist painter.

In 2008, she became one of the founders of the Top of West Virginia Arts Council.

She helped with the groundwork for the opening of the Summit Art Gallery in Weirton.

The West Liberty University graduate retired after 33 years as an art teacher.

Wright has had her works displayed at the Lincoln Park Creative Arts Center, where she won Merit awards, as well as a recent Best of Show award.

She will be the Midland Art Show’s featured artist in July.

Her sister, Joyce, took an interest in painting many years ago, experimenting with oils and acrylics.

She eventually developed a style somewhere between realism and impressionism.

Some of the subjects she enjoys painting are old, weathered structures.

Beatty is a member of the Steubenville Art Association and a founding member of the Top of West Virginia Arts Council.

She believes, as other artists do, that creating feeds the soul.

A watercolor workshop will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 18 at the Fort Steuben Visitor Center.

Bill Koch will lead the workshop.

“Bill is an officer with the Tuscarawas County Arts Council and is a very talented and experienced watercolorist,” Schmidt commented. “He has done several workshops for the SAA and they are always wonderful.”

Past SAA president and retired high school art teacher Jeanne D’Anniballe will lead a chalk pastel workshop from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 16 at the Visitor Center.

A final workshop, which will teach the fascinating 3-D world of Zentangle, will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 20.

Francesca Veltri will teach the workshop.

“This is a whole new concept in visual arts,” Schmidt said of Zentangle, noting the use of pencil to draw designs of various patterns, with some of the designs to appear in 3-D.

It is a full schedule, to be sure, but one filled with the light of creativity and the warmth of a community coming together to learn.

“The SAA is so proud to offer these workshops, not only to our members, but to anyone who wants to attend,” Schmidt exclaimed, noting the organization remains steadfast in its mission to celebrate local talent.

“We are proud of our artists — who are some of the best in the area,” Schmidt added.

She stated that while the association aims to provide opportunities to the community, she is equally proud of the dedicated individuals who make up the SAA membership, expressing a particular point of pride for member Christina Collins.

Collins recently celebrated a major milestone, completing her first semester at Naropa University in Colorado with a perfect 4.0 grade-point average.

At 42 years old, she is pursuing a bachelor of arts degree in art therapy, all while balancing the demands of raising six children, ranging in age from 16 down to her 1-year-old.

“It is never too late to go back to school or start art,” Collins shared, reflecting on her journey.

“I ran away from art most of my life,” she said. “But just last year, I started watercoloring to help my youngest boy in his homeschool curriculum that had a lot of watercolor.”

That simple introduction to the medium sparked a passion that quickly evolved into a watercolor business, eventually leading Collins to return to the classroom to help others through art.

“I decided to do all of this when I had six kids,” she added. “You, too, can change your life if you do not like it or want a change — no matter your age or circumstances.”

Looking ahead to the spring, SAA Vice President Alysia Basluke is already busy coordinating this year’s annual Artist, Show Us Your Stuff art show.

Scheduled for March, the showcase invites SAA members, local artists, children and the general public to participate, with all submitted works hanging side-by-side in the Visitor Center.

As the association prepares for a busy season, Schmidt offered a final encouragement to those looking to find their own creative spark.

“Please remember that all are welcome at our $25 workshops — regardless of experience — and we encourage you to check out our Facebook page or our website for updates as we head into this creative new year,” she concluded.

For information on upcoming events and membership, visit steubenvilleaa.com.