Windom, Texas -- An exciting new venue for the arts is opening in Fannin County.  Local artists, Tatiana Murray, Patsi Tindel, and Wanda Oliver are launching the Windom Art School with an Open House on Saturday, September 16. from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Classes will begin the week of September 25.  Located in the historic Windom School Building at 510 Maple Street in Windom, Texas, the school will offer a variety of classes for children, tweens, teens, and adults.

Tatiana Suvorova ( Murray) was born in USSR Kazakhstan. With a classical art education, she completed her studies at Omsk Art institute in Russia, specializing in studio art and fashion design, graduating with high honors . Her first personal exhibition was in 1992 in her hometown, Temirtay. After that, she was very active as an artist, exhibiting on many different occasions. She illustrated two children’s books that were published in Russia . In 2004, she immigrated to the USA where she became a member of the N. H. Art Association and the N. H. League of Craftsmen, exhibiting her work around the sea coast . She gave private lessons to homeschoolers and opened a successful Etsy shop selling her work.  She and her family have relocated to Fannin County this year.

Patsi Tindel is a retired educator and a multi-media artist.  In addition to a long standing passion for photography, particularly nature photography, her work includes quilting, cross stitching, story telling, creative journaling, and collage. During the pandemic, she joined an online handmade book club and learned the art of designing and creating handmade books.  She is now a veteran of a variety of bookmaking styles, from simple folded structures to case bound volumes.  A lifelong learner, Patsi is currently exploring the art of the Japanese embroidery practice of Sashiko.

Educated in the sciences, Wanda Oliver is a largely self-taught artist who enjoys working in a variety of mediums.   She is inherently experimental and tends to push the boundaries of each new medium she tries.  Wanda has taught a popular digital photography class at the Honey Grove Library and Learning Center for several years, and her work can currently be seen at the Sparrows Gallery in Denison, Texas.  With the Windom Art School, she is expanding  her teaching repertoire to include other aspects of her mixed media practice.  Wanda enjoys working with teenagers and adults as they tap into their creative potential.  She feels deeply that everyone is creative, and art is essential nourishment for all of us.

Between the three founders and occasional guest instructors, the school plans to offer classes in drawing, painting, fashion design, wet felting, polymer clay, handmade books, photography, needle arts, warm glass, encaustic wax, and collage.  The initial courses, beginning this month are Glass Fusing I, Junk Journaling, and Classic Painting and Drawing.  Sign up at the Open House or by visiting the school’s website at www.windomartschool.com.