Local artist sharing art with youth in Carson City

A familiar face in Carson City’s art scene is teaming up with 4-H to kindle creativity in local youth.

Rosie Laird, a self-taught oil painting aficionado, is offering a six-week art class to children ages 9-11.

The artist, who has shown her landscape oil paintings at It’s a Girl Thang and Comma Coffee in Carson City, is hoping to share more than just art techniques with children who sign up.

“Basically I want to tell the kids we are going to help you express yourself so everyone will know who you are,” she said. “I want the kids to feel like they’re empowered, that they don’t have to have a million dollars to paint a picture.”

Kids who sign up can expect to paint landscapes of local scenes such as Lake Tahoe.

“I want the kids to see what they can do. They might paint the craziest tree in the world but we’ll see the crazy beautiful art that came from them,” Laird said.

As an added benefit, the young artists who participate will display their oil paintings at the Carson City Library on Nov. 14.

The class meets at 6:30 p.m. Fridays starting on Oct. 14. The $10-per-person cost covers all materials and instruction.

For more information or to sign up, contact the Carson City 4-H office at 775-887-2252.

Other 4-H programs offered in Carson City and Storey County include: 4 Paws Dog Care and Training; Alliance of Latinas in Teen Action and Solidarity; Arrowhead 4-H Livestock; Carson Bouncing Bunnies; Carson City Hot Shots; Carson Cluckers; Comstock Explorers Community Club; Target Rippers Carson City Archer; Silver Sage Community Club and others.

For a complete schedule, go to http://www.unce.unr.edu/4h/counties/carson-storey/.