Article and photos by Mary Ellen Graybill  (Click on the album to see the pictures)

Local artist and former Columbia High School teacher, Tom Hermansader has launched a well-attended outside art event bringing together people of all ages and all levels of art skills! With a series of five field visits, and donated supplies from Hinkle’s, Frank Sahd Salvage Center, Inc., Burning Bridge Antiques, Mifflin Press, Hotel Locust, and Sam Wiggins, who owns Absolute Fitness Solutions – participants were given paper, pencils, erasers as needed.

 Some people brought their own favorite pens and art paper. Tom has inspired dozens of people to get back to an old hobby or try a new way of drawing.

“I liked to draw in high school, and also did pottery,” said Columbian resident Bill Weidenheimer.

Taking a fresh look at local sites such as the Dungeon at the Columbia Market House, the Burning Bridge Antique Center or the inside of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church has been interesting to all ages from children to seniors.

Maribeth King drove from Mt. Joy to attend this past week’s Thursday free class located at Tom Hermansader’s mansion on Chestnut Street in Columbia. After raising a family, she wants to get back to art, and she will be attending the next two sessions, on Thursday, August 18 at Burger King, and on August 25 at the First National Bank Museum on 2nd Street.

“These sessions will end as school begins,” said Tom Hermansader, reminding participants that his home studio will continue Wednesday classes for $15 a session.

Drawing outdoors has been a magnet for people wanting to just draw and relax.

Tom’s approach to drawing is the simple approach – that drawing from the sphere and the cube is the basis for drawing, and drawing from life the easiest.

“There are things everywhere to draw,” people said during the class. How to draw is made easy by Tom’s simple instructions: You can draw in scribbles, or contour method. You can draw from a sculpture, or still object. You can capture movement or make a caricature. To learn more, attend one of the next two (and last classes) or sign up for a Wednesday class.

A cameraman from WGAL 8 was overheard saying it is good news to hear about Columbia. The accompanying news reporter enjoyed asking participants why they like to draw, and some coverage made the evening news.

Over fifty participants met at Tom’s home studio on August 11. Some of the art work is on display at the Columbia Historic Market House.

To register for the free art class August 18 at Burger King to practice drawing people, call 717 684-7899.