06/17/2026
Classes and teachers announced for Bluebird Gallery
Bluebird Gallery, Studio and Event Space opens July 1 at 108 South Muskogee Avenue with classes and workshops slated. Fine art, photography, stained glass and more will be available for purchase.
Teachers and classes in July include:
WATERCOLOR: Founder of Tahlequah Watercolor, George Fulk will teach watercolor on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 7-9 p.m. on July 6, 8, 13 and 15. Cost is $25 per class for attendees bringing supplies of paper and paint, or $35 for Fulk to provide. [email protected]
OIL PAINTING: Peggy Hague will be teaching oil painting on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. for $25 per class starting July 7. The class, for beginners or intermediates, will paint a colorful buffalo. If you do not draw well, an outline of the buffalo to trace will be available. Supply List: 11 x 14 canvas—thin or gallery wrap; Brushes:a few flats and a few rounded and liner brush #0 or #1; Oil Paints: Ivory, Black, Turquoise, Burnt Umber, Burnt Sienna and White. A pallet knife if you have one, and a roll of paper towels. She will provide the rest of colors to start with and pallet paper. [email protected]
MUSIC: Dr. Carl Farinelli, well-known musician and retired educator from Northeastern State University, will offer music classes for adults and youth accompanied by a parent or grandparent on Tuesday’s at 3 p.m. This weekly music group provides an opportunity for aspiring musicians of all levels, beginning, intermediate, and advanced, to come together in a service learning environment to perform songs and dances from many cultures and generations, and to tell about and write about these songs. Want to sing and/or play guitar, fiddle, harmonica, dulcimer, mandolin, bass, ukulele, slide guitar, or drums, or if you just want to listen, learn about, and perhaps write or help do oral histories about these songs and dances, come join. You can learn by reading music, tablature, by ear or watching others play, A weekly donation is accepted.
POETRY: Poet Erynn Crittenden will offer Cut-out Poetry workshops on Friday at 10 a.m. She’ll provide old magazines, glue sticks, scissors, and poster boards. Come cut out words and letters, and glue them onto a poster board to take home. One board per person. $5 per person. It's poetry plus art and fun for all ages and good for a summertime activity as well.
WATERCOLOR: Renee Fite will offer watercolor on open Saturday mornings. Any Saturday morning that doesn’t already have a workshop or class, at 10 a.m. come enjoy painting a simple piece that can be finished in two hours or less. Supplies provided: one piece of watercolor paper, paint and a brush, $35 or bring supplies $25.
STAINED GLASS: Mona Burns will offer a make and take beginner stained-glass workshop on Saturday, July 11 from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. A small bluebird will be the first piece of her ongoing workshops. She will bring pre cut pieces ready to assemble, and attendees will learn to foil and solder. Cost is $40
UNIQUE WATERCOLOR - Julie Gowing Hayes, NW Arkansas artist and member of Heart of America Artist Association; President of the National Oil and Acrylic Painter Society; member Oil Painter of America, Plein Air Painters of the Ozarks, Women Artists of the West, and board advisor and Woolaroc Invitational Co-Chair, will teach a unique watercolor workshop July 18. From 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. for $75.
Breaking the Rules: A Fresh Approach to Watercolor
Discover a fresh approach to watercolor painting by working on a gesso-coated surface. This nontraditional method allows you to layer and manipulate watercolor in surprising ways. Forget the usual rules of painting light to dark or preserving the white of the paper. Instead, you'll build rich layers of color and learn how to lift, blend, and move pigment with a damp brush to create highlights, textures, and expressive effects. One of the most exciting aspects of this technique is its ability to maintain vibrant, saturated color while offering tremendous flexibility throughout the painting process.
Schedule
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• Welcome and introductions
• Overview of the painting method
• Review of finished examples
• Demonstration painting
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
• Lunch Break
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
• Student painting session (guided instruction and individual assistance provided as needed)
• Wrap-up discussion and sharing of completed work
• Review of key takeaways
• Demonstration of how to varnish your finished painting to protect the surface and frame it without glass
Materials Provided
• Two 9" × 12" sheets of gesso-coated Bristol paper
• A photo reference for painting
Materials to Bring - You can work with what you have. If you need to buy materials, the following are some suggestions
• Watercolor Paints - Bring the paints you currently use. The following colors are recommended (you do not need all of these):
• Yellows
• Warm Yellow: Cadmium Yellow Deep, Cadmium Yellow Medium, or New Gamboge
• Cool Yellow: Hansa Yellow or Lemon Yellow
• Reds
• Warm Red: Cadmium Red Light
• Cool Red: Alizarin Crimson or Red Rose Deep
• Blues
• Warm Blue: Ultramarine Blue
• Cool Blue: Prussian Blue or Cobalt Blue
• Greens
• Warm Green: Sap Green or Hooker's Green
• Cool Green: Viridian
• Other Colors
• Violet
• Burnt Sienna
• Burnt Umber or Sepia (optional)
• Payne's Gray (or Black)
• Other Supplies
• Palette for paints and color mixing (a disposable plate or tray works well)
• Watercolor brushes (bring what you have)
• Recommended Brushes (if you need to buy)
• Flats: Sizes 4, 8, 16, or 18 (or 1/4"–3/8")
• Round brushes: Small and medium
• Angled shaders: Small and medium
• Artist's tape or painter's tape
• Small board or rigid cardboard at least 11" × 14" to support the 9" × 12" paper (drawing board or hardboard panel)
• Spray bottle for rewetting paints on your palette
• Two water containers (one for clean water and one for rinsing brushes)
• Paper towels or facial tissues
• Trash bag
• Optional: Tabletop or standing easel or you may work flat on a table
TIE-DYE - Fiber artist Kathy Tibbits will offer a tie dye workshop on July 25 at 10 a.m. Preorder shirts at 918 797-5016 by July 15. And attendee can bring one additional cotton item to tie dye. $60
Classes and workshops have limited number of openings, sign up today. Call 918 4577345 or email the artist to sign up.
CUTLINE: Art by Julie Gowling Hayes, stained glass by Mona Burns, and watercolor by George Fulk are some of the teachers and artists offering classes and workshops in July.
