Workshop Weekend a Great Success

CBAS Chair Lou Kroner introduces Paul Johnson on Friday night

Paul show us his amazing book structures

This year's visiting artist Paul Johnson came to us fresh from teaching gigs in Vermont and Maine. We were indeed fortunate to be on his itinerary during this visit from England. Friday night he shared his work and enthusiasm with us at a lecture at the Art Academy of Cincinnati. His recent work, incorporating more text than in the past, is a joy to behold. His vibrantly dyed paper (he uses heavy 140 lb. Saunders watercolor) and unique locking mechanisms that enable the pieces to collapse completely flat were real crowd pleasers. There were gasps of amazement as he opened the larger ones. And Paul is so gracious in sharing his expertise and in encouraging us to pass along our own artistic gifts to others. He is an artist and a teacher who inspires his students, both young and young-at-heart.

Paul's gazebo provided inspiration on Saturday

Personalized gazebos take shape

Paul helps us get started on spirit house bases on Sunday

Paul's model (front) and his completed spirit house (rear)

Saturday and Sunday it was "hurray for gazebos and spirits houses!" Two dozen participants in the CBAS workshop focused on the many-part gazebo structure assembled with "Us and Ts" on the first day and then learned a different assembly technique making spirit houses on the second day. When the basic spirit house structures were all locked into place, everyone had time to get their creative juices flowing with embellishments for most of the afternoon. It was an inspiring weekend.

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 Thanks to the CBAS Visiting Artist Committee and CBAS Board for pitching in to handle all the details for Paul Johnson's visit. Special thanks to Janice for hosting the wrap-up pizza supper at the end of the workshop. And much gratitude to the Art Academy of Cincinnati for providing space for the lecture and workshop.