Rodd Ambroson offers a weekly life drawing class at the Josephy Center. It will resume in February.

JOSEPH — The Josephy Center for Arts and Culture, 403 N. Main St., has a mission to “enrich and elevate the lives” of Wallowa County’s residents and visitors and be a “gathering place to celebrate, promote and inspire arts and culture.”

The center offers many classes and creative workshops, including a variety of “drop-in” classes to encourage creativity, awaken latent talents and provide a welcoming place for anyone of any age and skill level to explore the arts by creating their own.

Multi-week sessions on ceramics, painting and other media are offered to those seeking long-term instruction. What about the curious among us who want to explore our skills, rekindle the joy of creating, or seek a new creative outlet? The Josephy Center is ready to promote and inspire residents and visitors with regularly scheduled drop-in classes.

Currently, drop-in classes are offered in life drawing, wood carving, abstract painting and “Walk-in Wednesday” during which instruction in various media is offered. These classes are designed for beginners and advanced practitioners to work side by side under the tutelage of a master artist. All supplies are provided and instruction is personalized.

Rodd Ambroson, visual artist, life drawing instructor and a founding member of the Josephy Center, encourages anyone interested in art to attend the life drawing class.

“Drawing is the basis for all art,” Ambroson said.

Using live models in class, he teaches students to “draw what they see, not what they know.” The experience provides insight into the creative process, exercises the brain and teaches focus while learning to draw. Students will learn to see art differently, developing a greater appreciation for the arts.

The goal of any of the center’s drop-in classes is as diverse as the individuals who attend — they are designed for everyone. Life drawing classes resume in February on Fridays from 6-8 p.m. Cost is $20.

Celebrated wood carver Steve Arment offers a drop-in wood carving class on Wednesdays, 5:30-7:30 p.m., resuming Feb. 7. Using tools and basic techniques, this class is for beginners and experienced carvers alike. The recurring class allows students to create relief carving projects that are simple — a session or two — or more complex requiring multiple drop-ins. It is up to the individual student; there is no minimum nor limit to the number of times one can drop in. Cost is $35 per class, and no registration is required.

Cheryl Coughlan, Josephy’s executive director, said the drop-in sessions are opportunities for local people and visitors to create, learn, grow and come together as a community to socialize and experience the arts and culture of the Josephy Center.

For more information, or to register, visit josephy.org or call 541-432-0505.

Instructors needed

The Josephy Center for Arts and Culture in Joseph is seeking instructors for new art class offerings. Interested instructors of all media are encouraged to call Arianna Olsen at 541-432-0505.