Lighthouses are the subject with Artist Jane Weiss
By Barb Pert Templeton
It may sound excessive but in fact there are 129 lighthouses across the state of Michigan, the highest number of any state in the United States. At one point Michigan had 250 lighthouses lining the shores of Lake Michigan.
In fact, the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse, right here in St. Clair County, has the distinction of being the oldest one in the state. It was built in 1814 during the War of 1812 to guard the juncture of the St. Clair River and Lake Huron. It was named after the engineer who supervised construction, Charles Gratiot, Fort Gratiot would be occupied on and off by the United States Army until 1879.
All trivia aside, Ira Township Parks and Recreation is pleased to announce four new painting class, dubbed ‘Yellow Brush Paint Classes – Michigan Lighthouses” to their schedule. The program’s set for four Saturdays between February and September.
This flyer is currently being distributed to round up students for several upcoming painting courses.
Yale based painting instructor Jane Weis will once again bring her expertise to the local classroom for students.
All classes will be held on Saturday mornings from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Ira Township Hall. Each class will feature a different lighthouse and the courses are scheduled for:
- February 3, 2024 Winter Lighthouse
- April 13, 2024 Spring Lighthouse (Corrected Date)
- June 29, 2024 Summer Lighthouse
- September 28, 2024 Fall Lighthouse
The cost is $35 for each class and students are invited to take one class or sign up for all of them.
A bit about the teacher
A frequent contributor to painting classes in Clay and Ira townships, when interviewed last year by Blue Water Healthy living Weis said she grew up in St. Clair Shores and has been painting for about 50 years. She cited her mother has her greatest influence recalling that when she was in second grade her art teacher pointed out her obvious artistic talents prompting her lifetime love of art.
Instructor Jane Weis has been an avid painter for more than five decades.
While she continued her craft over the years Weis really began to focus on it after raising her four children, several who are talented artists as are a handful of her 18 grandchildren.
After completing both art and business courses at Oakland University Weis felt ready to turn her talents into a business where she could share her paintings along with teaching others to paint.
She recalls years spent developing her own style while also figuring out what would work for her students including small details like how to hold a brush.
She was a teacher at Studio 1219 in Port Huron for a number of years and that’s when the idea to start hosting painting parties at places in the community became so popular. She branched out in 2011 and started hosting her own events at libraries and community centers across St. Clair County.
As positive feedback flowed in and people kept returning to her classes Weis decided to open up her home studio to students. A converted pole barn on her property in Yale serves as her large classroom and it also has a separate corner area for her own art. There’s also has a limited supply of oil paints, brushes and canvases for sale.
There are several ways to sign up for the upcoming lighthouse courses in Ira Township. Pre-registration is required in order for organizers to be able to provide the proper amounts of supplies and seats.
Those interested can register at Ira Township Offices, located at 7085 Meldrum Road, Monday through Thursday, from 7:00 am to 12:00pm and from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
You may also mail a check to Ira Township Parks and Recreation, 7085 Meldrum, Ira, MI 48023 or drop at Ira Township Drop Box.
Additional information and general questions can be directed to the email of Ira Parks and Recreation Director Cindy Babisz at Cindy@iratownship.org or call Anna at 586-339-3969 for
more details.
All the lighthouse painting classes will be held at Ira Township Hall, 7085 Meldrum Road, Ira Township.
