By Betty Gandee
Mitchell
Quincy Potasnik Mitchell was working as adjunct art instructor at WVUIT when some students asked her if she would paint with them after hours as a volunteer teacher.
She says she thought about it, and decided to start teaching art as a legitimate business. When speaking about her journey, the one thing she sought was to offer people (especially those in rural areas) something different to do. She wanted to show them that even though they may think they have no artistic ability, each of us can create something beautiful, especially with close and careful instruction.
With digital arts taking control of the art industry she is on a mission to keep traditional art alive. In doing this she keeps her fees and prices low so more have the chance to enjoy painting. Her biggest challenge in this adventure has been finding a stable place to set up and teach classes. Her desire is to offer a day class for the seniors in the community. Art is a good therapy for the soul, and it has helped Quincy overcome her social anxiety. She says none of this would be possible without God. He has given her this talent, put her in the places she needs to be, and made it her mission to share it with the world.
Quincy respects all original art and does her best to locate original artists to ask for their permission to use their work in her classes. With her classes, she offers 2-hour large group classes, birthday parties, private in-home parties, bridal showers, and so on. She offers a Tuesday night paint class on Tuesdays as well as services to churches, businesses, schools, libraries, and paint with children aged five and up. Her fundraising has been her biggest blessing, as it lets her help those in need. Her new fundraising season in January 1 thru April 30.
Her most recent fundraising event was held at Clay County Middle School, with the proceeds benefiting the Clay Cross Country Team. This was a large event where 36 people showed up to paint with Quincy. The cross-country team would also like to thank CCMS for the use of their space, parents for concession donations. The next fundraiser for the cross-country team will be the raffling of a 10ft field and stream kayak and paddle (a $350 value) You can get your tickets from Brooke Jones at Clay County Bank or a CCHS cross country athlete. The winner will be announced at the Elk River Fest on July 14.
You can contact Quincy on Facebook under Quincy Potasnik Mitchell or call/text at 304-549-8203. Check out her Facebook page as well at The Tiny Sparrow, Art Studio and Happy Place.