Philomath Winter Break Watercolor Class - Dec. 2005
The Philomath Bahá’í community recently had the bounty of hosting a watercolor painting class taught by Joseph O’Neil. Joseph and his family are Bahá’is who recently moved into the Benton county area from Central Oregon. Joseph has taught a watercolor class at Suttle Lake Bahá’í school for the last couple of years.
The class was planned as a winter break activity for the “Lights of Guidance” after school spiritual education class which is normally taught by Sonlla Heern and Jaleh Olson at the Philomath Elementary School. The junior youth group was also invited to attend. As it turned out, almost all who were invited came and four of the children and junior youth who are friends of Bahá’ís brought siblings or parents. The class was held in the Philomath City Hall council room with about 20 people in attendance.
This class was spectacular. Joseph is a talented artist and a wonderful teacher. One of the great things about the class was its accessibility for all age groups. Children as young as four years old enjoyed themselves as did the older children, junior youth and adults who participated. Joseph kept the interest of the participants while bringing out in them a sense of their own inner creativity. The two hour class began with Joseph reciting the “Refresh and gladden my spirit”* prayer. Instructional periods were interspersed with quotes from the Bahá’í Writings about spirit and creativity. The fact that half the participants in the class were Bahá’ís and the rest those interested in the Bahá’í activities, was light upon light!
Pictures from the event are in our picture gallery.
* to see the entire prayer, click on Refresh_Gladden