Horse-related painting and drawing programs planned
BISMARCK – A special evening tribute to horses is coming to the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum, Bismarck, on June 20 from 6-8:30 p.m.
“Canvas and Cocktails: Painting Horses,” an event open to the public, will feature the opportunity to work with a master artist to create a horse painting inspired by the current “The Horse in North Dakota” exhibit. The event will include a cash bar and be accompanied by horse-inspired live music.
The horse-themed adult painting program will begin with master artist Kim Eslinger leading a short guided tour through the exhibit “The Horse in North Dakota.” The program is suitable for all levels of experience and participants can choose a blank canvas or one with a horse outline provided by Eslinger. Easels, canvases, paints, and brushes will be provided during the program. Music for the evening will be provided by local musician Kris Kitko. Tickets are $20 and seats are limited. Register for either the May or June event at painthorses.eventbrite.com.
On June 22, Eslinger will lead “Tell A Story: Sketch A Horse,” three free sessions of the horse-themed program taking place from 10:30 a.m.-noon, 1-2:30 p.m., and 3-4:30 p.m. The sessions are designed for a mixed-aged audience of adults and children with chaperones. Each is designed as a stand-alone program, but will include elements that can be built upon by attending successive sessions. Drawing materials will be provided.
The morning session will demonstrate how to begin a gesture drawing and discuss the process needed to flesh out a sketch using basic shapes. Participants will incorporate elements of these techniques into their own creations while discussing basic horse anatomy, perspective, and proportion. The mid-day program will center on telling stories with horse pictures and include a reading of “The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses” by Paul Goble, followed by a facilitated comparison of Goble’s illustrations to horses depicted on winter counts. Participants will then create their own horse picture story, using cut out horse shapes to trace around and fill in details. The afternoon program will follow the model of the morning program helping new participants begin their horse drawings and story lessons or extending previous participants opportunities to further their horse stories and illustrations.
The programs are related to the temporary exhibit,“The Horse in North Dakota,” which highlights the horse’s evolution and domestication, work and military uses, and Native American cultural significance, as well as the horse’s role in sports, art, and play.