Alma Thomas' painting "Double Cherry Blossoms" (1973). Join the Oxford Memorial Library for a paint night at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 20, where participants will learn how to paint abstract works in the style of influential artist Alma Thomas. (Photo from the Bowdoin College Museum of Art)

OXFORD — The Oxford Memorial Library, located at 8 Fort Hill Park in Oxford, will be hosting a free paint night at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 20, where participants will learn how to paint abstract works in the style of influential artist Alma Thomas.

The class is open to adults and teens and will be led by Oxford Memorial Library Director Gillian Mulder.

"It’ll be similar to a paint and sip evening where I will lead the class in a painting, but where it differs is that everybody’s painting can end up a bit differently. They can either copy what I’ll be doing or kind of go on their own design," Mulder explained.

"The style will be in the style of Alma Thomas, who is a fairly influential artist in the abstract world. She was the first Black woman to have a solo exhibition in the Whitney Museum of American Art, and she was also a part of the Washington Color School, which is an art movement in the 1950s to 1970s of abstract expressionist artists."

She said Thomas' style features short brushstrokes that give an effect similar to mosaic tiles, geometric shapes, and bright colors. All supplies will be provided for participants to create a similar effect on their own canvas.

Mulder said the abstract art style is great for individuals of all skill levels, as abstract art can be whatever the artist wants it to be.

"The abstract style is great for people even if they think that they’re not going to be a good painter because they can just call it abstract art and it’s whatever they want," she said.

This craft night is free to attend and no pre-registration is required. In addition to supplies, light refreshments such as tea, coffee, and dessert will be provided.

"It’ll be like all of our other craft nights where all the supplies are provided, there will be refreshments," said Mulder. "People just need to show up and have a good time."

The Oxford Memorial Library hosts adult craft nights every month. Recently, they've held craft nights where participants made beaded heart-shaped suncatchers, teacup bird feeders, yarn Christmas trees, book page wreaths, and more.

They also host a family craft night each month that is open to adults and children.

For more information on the Oxford Memorial Library and their programs, visit OxfordMemorialLibrary.org or their new Facebook page, Oxford Memorial Library.