Announcements for Week of December 2 – 7

Announcements:  Week of December 2^nd – December 7^th

Did you know…? 

Giving Tuesday originated in New York City about 11 years ago.  A charitable response to Black Friday, Giving Tuesday harnesses the local focus of Small Business Saturday and combines it with the spirit of charity and kindness to benefit those in need, including nonprofits like the Life Enrichment Center.  (This year, Giving Tuesday is December 3.)

SPECIAL EVENTS and DEADLINES:

• Wednesday, December 4: Potluck (meet the maker of the LEC sculpture)
• Wednesday, December 4: Intermediate/Advanced Open Play Mah Jongg TIME SHIFT—1:30pm-4pm

LEC HOLIDAY CLOSINGS:

• Monday, December 23 – Wednesday, January 1: LEC Closed

COMING ATTRACTIONS 2025:

• Wednesday, January 8: Deadline for bringing State Fair entries to LEC
• Thursdays, starting January 9: Beginning Drawing with Tim (10am -12pm)
• Thursdays, starting January 9: Poetry (hybrid) with Mish (10:30am -12pm)
• Saturday, January 18: Acrylic Pour Workshop
• Saturday, January 25: Colored Pencils Workshop with Mark Menendez
• Friday, January 31: Field Trip to the 50^th Annual Miniature Arts Show (in Largo)
• February 6-17: Florida State Fair–Demo Artists needed daily

December Potluck

Dominique Martinez from Rustic Steel will be here December 4 for the potluck luncheon (12-1pm). In 2014,  he gave LEC one of our greatest gifts: the sculpture of the chrome figure reaching toward the sun (in front of the LEC building).

Florida State Fair 2025

• Art work needs to be at the LEC by January 8. Tim will be available on January 8 from 11am – 1pm to help correctly wire art for display at the Fair.

• For those interested in being volunteer demo artists at the Fair, there is a sign-up sheet on the Resource table. Shifts are 3-4 hours, and you must remain at the table for the duration of your shift.  Demo volunteers receive a free ticket to the Fair for the day they demo. You can also email info@lectampa.org or call (813) 932-0241 to sign up or for more information.

Creative Fire 2024

The LEC’s latest anthology, Creative Fire: Embers and Ashes vol. 25, is now available for purchase on Amazon (click here). You may also pre-order your copy at the LEC.  If you have writing or art published in the anthology, your complementary copy is coming soon.

Artists of the Month

We are preparing a new cycle of Artists of the Month to start in January 2025. Nomination forms are now on the resource table. You are encouraged to recommend a fellow LEC artist or yourself for this honor. Forms may be submitted throughout the year.

Class and Workshop News

• Plein Air opportunity! At 8am on Monday, December 2, LEC members are invited by the Pastels class to gather outside the clubhouse at Al Lopez Park to do plein air art.   Bring all your materials because supplies will NOT provided.  You are not limited to painting with pastels—the choice of medium is yours.

• MAH JONGG TIME SHIFT: On Wednesday, December 4, the Intermediate/Advanced Open Play Mah Jongg class will meet from 1:30pm – 4pm.

New Year, New Opportunities

• In January, the LEC will be offering two Saturday workshops: Acrylic Pour on January 18 and Colored Pencils with Mark Menendez on January 25. Register online here , or you can email info@lectampa.org, call (813) 932-0241, or sign up in person.

• A field trip to the 50^th annual International Miniature Arts Show, in Largo this year, is planned for Friday, January 31. Sign up on the Resource table, or you can email info@lectampa.org, call (813) 932-0241, or sign up in person. Please indicate whether you are willing to drive.

• Tim Gibbons will be offering a 6-week Beginning Drawing class on Thursday mornings (10am-12pm) starting January 9. Learn perspective, shading, shadowing, and different uses of materials. Come on out to have a fun time turning on your imagination. Register online here, or you can email info@lectampa.org, call (813) 932-0241, or sign up in person.

• Mish Murphy will be returning with an 8-week Poetry class on Thursdays from 10:30am-12pm starting January 9. The class will be in person and online.  Register online here , or you can email info@lectampa.org, call (813) 932-0241, or sign up in person.

Club News

• Walk away your worries! Cooler temperatures and lower humidity are finally here. Take advantage of the nicer weather and go for a walk.  Don’t want to go alone? Join the new LEC Walking Club (starting this month).  If you are interested, contact Arleen or Sheila for more details (email info@lectampa.org or call 813-932-0241).

• PHOTO CHALLENGES: Photos for the November & December Challenge will both be reviewed during the Photo Club’s December 18^th Zoom meeting.  December’s challenge is Winter. That can be seasonal, holiday cheer or whatever else inspires you there.

• MERMAID PHOTO DATE: The Photo Club will photograph the unveiling of the fifteen new mermaid statues at Weeki Wachee on Saturday, January 11 at 11:30am.  Attend the December 18^th Photo Club Zoom meeting or contact Dave Beebe to learn more.

Other LEC News

• Art supplies for sale at the LEC! In the small room of the Library you can find supplies for a wide variety of creative needs, from canvases to clay to pencils and paints and everything in between.  Stop by and check it out!  Ask a volunteer or staff member for assistance if you want to make a purchase.