Our words hold more power than we realize.

A comment made to me by my seventh-grade art teacher about a project I had turned in lingered with me for decades. She looked at it and then looked at me stating that she hoped I had other talents because art was not one of them.

As a teacher, her words had an incredible impact. I believed her and told myself that I could not and should not try to create art. And for another 50 years, I was convinced I had no art talent.

Jean Perry has been teaching art classes for adults here at Carbon County Environmental Education Center since 2015.

I would help Jean and her husband, Gordon, set up for the classes and then quietly fade into the background when the artists showed up.

Occasionally, she would ask if I was going to join the class, and I would make up excuses as to why I could not until one day she looked at me and asked me to at least give the classes a chance. I was caught off guard and didn’t have an excuse ready, so I agreed.

My first attempts were awkward and tentative. As she circulated around the room offering advice, she stopped to watch for a moment as I tried to blend the colored pencil strokes for my bird drawing.

She said, “I think colored pencils are the perfect medium for you. I like what you are doing but don’t be afraid to go a little darker!”

I was stunned and honestly proud of myself. Just those few words gave me the encouragement to attend another class. And another.

Jean shares her art magazines with us and in one of the magazines there was an article on how art and artists are vital and should be supported in every way possible.

The author of the article wrote that people needed to stop and think for a second how sad and boring our world would be without creativity.

As I read more, the article went on to describe how as humans we don’t always want to or are able to express what we are feeling through language, but that art allows us to share thoughts, ideas and visions that we wouldn’t be able to otherwise.

While I am working, I find the process of creating relaxing. All I am focused on is the task at hand. I am not worrying about answering those six emails or what I am going to make for dinner. The time in the class is mine and mine alone to do what makes me happy and that is a powerful thing to immerse myself in art and enjoy the process. According to the American Psychiatric Association, about 46% of Americans use creative activities, including fine arts such as music or performing, to relieve stress and deal with anxiety.

Art therapy is used to help people with mental conditions, like those with dementia. This proves that we do not need art only for our culture and creativity, but also for our well-being.

One of the most amazing things about these classes is that no matter the level of talent that one possesses all the artists in Jean’s classes are incredibly supportive of each other. As Jean moves through the class she will guide someone who is struggling, offer advice, or stop to admire the work being created.

There comes a time when getting up to stretch is necessary. That gives others a chance to move around the room to admire others’ progress. And those comments are always supportive and helpful. I read in another article that art always needs an audience and that artists give us a reason to come together and share in an experience. That is the very backbone to our classes. It is what makes these classes so special!

It occurred to me that every hobby I am interested in — jewelry making, photography, and art — are not cheap hobbies.

While artists do make money selling their jewelry, photographs, and paintings, sadly I do not. It also occurred to me that while they spend more money on supplies, they are also going to restaurants and events, making it good for the economy, small businesses and more.

All summer we have an exhibit and art show featuring the works from the classes. Stop in to see the show, get some inspiration, and sign up for a class or two scheduled for the fall.

For more information about the classes, please call the center at 570-645-8597.

And, from one artist to another, you do have the talent to attend a class.

Jeannie Carl is a naturalist at the Carbon County Environmental Education Center in Summit Hill. The center rehabilitates injured animals and educates the public on a variety of wildlife found in the area. For information on the Carbon County Environmental Center, visit www.carboneec.org.