– Advertisement –
Although the Nature Coast Art League (NCAL) will be taking a break from its monthly meetings during the hot summer months, this creative and innovative group will remain active throughout the season, giving local artists opportunities to create, express themselves and exhibit their work at its popular “Create Along” sessions.
“Our mission is to promote the visual arts in Hernando County and to encourage and support local artists,” reads the league’s mission statement. “We do this by encouraging and supporting artists through educational programs for the continued development of their talents and skills.”
“The Create Along sessions will continue on Monday mornings with members working independently on their own artwork,” said Ed Barker, newly elected president of the Nature Coast Art League for a second term.
The Create Along sessions will meet during the summer on Mondays from 9 a.m. to noon, holidays excluded, at People Helping People, 1396 Kass Circle in Spring Hill. Sessions are open to all Nature Coast Art League members and are an open studio forum in which members are encouraged to do their own thing and create. In addition, NCAL’s Create Along sessions have, in the past, featured fun and informative art demos as well as special projects.
– Advertisement –
“Anyone can attend Create Along/Open Studio one time as a guest, but a membership is required to continue attending,” said Jana Withers, former NCAL media director. “When someone applies for membership during the summer months, they receive a membership that is valid through September 2026. Membership meetings are held on the third Monday of the month, excluding holidays,” she said.
The 2025-2026 season of the Nature Coast Art League is set to run from September through May, under the expert leadership for a second year running of President Ed Barker, a watercolor artist and art instructor who has been1647 an NCAL Artist of the Month and recipient of numerous art awards.
Barker got his start in the art scene in his native Wisconsin, locally at the Blueberry Festival in Brooksville and in numerous local and nationwide art competitions for painting and photography. His work is also featured in several local galleries.
Barker has also taught Introduction to watercolor courses at the Hernando County libraries and participates actively in The Shadow Chasers: Plein Air Artists. Check out the Nature Coast Art League’s first annual “Ed Barker’s Big Brush Paint Out” set for Sept. 20, 2025.
Professional photographer, NCAL member and Artist of the Month winner Joan LoBianco said, “Although I have only attended the Create Along sessions a few times, each time was so relaxing and the members were so welcoming.”
“They never made me feel intimidated about being a pretty novice painter, but instead encouraged me and were quick to offer to advice and guidance while I worked on my paintings. I hope to participate more this summer as I got a new set of watercolor paints for my birthday that I can’t wait to start using,” she smiled.
Check out www.facebook.com/NatureCoastArtLeague for future monthly artist workshops and “Create Along” open studio session times.
For more information or to pay Nature Coast Art League membership fees for 2025-26, write to P.O. Box 6284, Spring Hill, FL 34611, or bring your membership fee with you to your first fun and enriching Create Along session. Current dues are $40 per person or $50 per family.
