Monday, Aug. 18, 2008

Novices draw on Yosemite to inspire their inner artists

There's no shortage of material for artistic inspiration at Yosemite National Park.

The sheer rock faces, lush meadows and towering trees have enchanted artists such as photographer Ansel Adams and watercolorists Chiura Obata and Gunnar Widforss.

For about 25 years, the nonprofit Yosemite Art and Education Center has encouraged ordinary people to explore their artistic sides in free art classes.

From March to November, the center offers classes from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every day but Sunday. Professional artists from around California stay at the park for a week, then lead groups to scenic vistas for instruction.

David Guy, chief executive officer of the Yosemite Association, which runs the center, said the classes are intended to give people a deeper connection to the park.

"It's a great way to tell the story," he said. "Words don't do Yosemite justice."

On a warm, sunny day recently, Castro Valley artist Frank Poulsen took about 15 students to Cook's Meadow for his drawing class. The 73-year-old has taught groups of as many as 40.

Soft-spoken and gentle, he knelt on the ground, shaving some conti crayons, a type of French crayon that is grease-free and has a chalky texture, onto some paper. Then he smudged them all over the paper with a tissue and started drawing over the colorful background.

"It's easy! You can do it!" he said as the group of adults and a few children gathered around him. "Anybody can do it. Not just me."

As his students hesitantly made their own efforts, a steady stream of hikers and bicyclists wandered by and sometimes stopped for a few minutes to watch.

The art students said they learned about the classes from the visitor information newspaper they received as they entered the park. Olivia and Seth Malmstrom of San Diego said they were excited to have another activity during their weeklong stay.

"I love art," Olivia Malmstrom said. "It's a hobby. I haven't had a chance to do it in a long time. It's nice to get the opportunity."

Seth Malmstrom said he was impressed with Poulsen's teaching abilities, that he was easy to follow and encouraging.

"It's a learning process," he said. "He lets you do it at your own pace. You can't beat the view."

Poulsen, who taught art for 34 years at Castro Valley High School before retiring, spices up his lectures with tidbits about the park and its history. He rock climbed in the 1960s and spent two years as a park ranger.

"I really enjoy coming here, passing on the techniques I've learned," he said. "It's so beautiful. Wherever you look, there's beauty. To be able to capture some of that and bring it back is so rewarding."

Poulsen has taught at the park for most of the 25 years the classes have been offered. Like the other artists-in-residence, he receives accommodations in lieu of payment. The art and education center has no problem recruiting artists and usually has far more applicants than spaces available.

Aline Allen, coordinator at the art center, said she looks for instructors who are interested in Yosemite and are adept at connecting with a wide variety of people. They have to be good at teaching experienced artists and novices.

The teachers submit their class topics to Allen and she gets the art supplies that students can purchase once they arrive at the park. While about 2,500 people end up taking the classes, Allen wishes there were more.

"We're hidden here in the trees," she said about the art center, which is easy to miss if you don't know where to look. "I'd love more people to know that this program exists."

Bee arts writer Lisa Millegan can be reached at lmillegan@modbee.com or 578-2313.