Artist in Residence
Lora Russell, Instructor in the Arts
The Community & Learning Center is pleased to be associated with Lora Russell, a western Pennsylvania artist who has had a significant influence on budding artists in the Tri-State area. Her classes and community service project have increased the awareness of area residents of the importance and the excitement of painting.
Lora is teaching an Adult Art Class at the Center beginning November 9th for some of her long-time students as well as new students wanting to explore their feelings on canvas regarding their surroundings and perceptions. For the past two years, Lora has taught classes at Thompson Park in East Liverpool over the past two summers. Now she will take her program indoors, or outside onto the rolling landscape of the Center property. Lora loves painting outdoors because everything she sees in nature offers new opportunities for expression
Lora specializes in landscapes and all things found in nature. She also enjoys helping her student to preserve their fond memories of travel, pets, flowers and whatever may have inspired them in their lifetime. Lora boasts that with just one lesson she has all of her students able to put on canvas a painting that they are proud to share with family and friends. Lora firmly believes that within everyone is the ability to express themselves with the help of a paint brush.
Lora takes time from her busy schedule of painting and teaching to volunteer time to do community service including helping organize and present the annual summer Flagler Challenge event at Oak Glenn High School. Artists and musicians who have moved from the area are invited to return home to share the products of their talents with present area residents.
Lora is a bundle of energy and exudes enthusiasm for painting. She passes this on to her students. She formerly taught classes at the Ohio Valley Business College. She received her training at Flagler College in St. Augustine, FL where she majored in Commercial Art and Graphic Design. She is a native of Washington, PA. She and her husband Charles have two grown children, Logan and Charles III who reside in the Pittsburgh area. Lora enjoys running marathons, kayaking, photography and all outdoor activities.
When Lora is not teaching she paints. She will sell her paintings and is available to do commission paintings of any subject, particularly pets and will paint from photographs.