This weekend bring your pastels, pens, paints and acrylics to the Selma Art Guild Gallery, located at 508 Selma Ave., for two days of relaxation, fellowship and lessons.

“This is a fun type of get-together where people can enjoy each other and the process of paint,” said Sally Jordan, president of the Selma Art Guild.

On Feb. 25, from noon until 4:30 p.m., Jordan invites the public to bring their current projects or work on a still life setup for free at the “take pART in ART” session.

“The setup will probably include a drapery, some books and fruit,” Jordan said. “I hope this encourages people to paint regularly, learn how to do it and enjoy it.”

On Feb. 26, one of the Guild’s Black History Month featured artists Tammy White will teach an acrylic’s class from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Admission is $60 for art guild members and $70 for non-members.

White said this opportunity is a great way for children to express their creativity and have something positive to do.

“When I was growing up in Orrville, we didn’t have any art programs,” White said. “I hope this class will motivate students and even older people to be creative and see the exhibits.”

White, who has many paintings displayed in the gallery, has also taught art at the School of Discovery and Selma Middle CHAT Academy. White said she’s seen art spark positive changes.

“Our children have so little to do these days and so many have talent but don’t see the value in exhibiting them,” White said. “We have a rich art community here and it makes me feel proud to see that art can be a positive outlet.”

White said students 12 and up and adults can attend the session. She encourages the public to bring acrylics in red, yellow, blue, black and white and two canvases, no bigger than 12-by-16.

Every Friday and Saturday in February in honor of Black History Month and March 4-5, the Selma Art Guild will feature African-American artists Charlie Lucas, Robert Baynes, LaFawnda Watson and White, which Jordan said she hopes will encourage other African-American artists in the city to get involved.

“A lot of times African-Americans have a different slant in painting,” Jordan said. “We want this event to bring reconciliation among the races, and we also want other ethnicities to see what can be done in terms of art.”

For more information call 875-4262.