Sinclair Community College associate professor of art Bridgette Bogle took her mixed-level painting class to Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark in Dayton, Ohio, for a plein air painting session. Students ranging in age from 18 to 80, including postal worker Don Adams and lifelong artist Aubrey Botts, set up easels throughout the gardens to paint landscapes outdoors, learning the Impressionist-inspired technique of working quickly in natural light.
This article highlights the value of accessible, community-based art education that brings together multigenerational students in public spaces. It underscores how local parks can serve as vibrant classrooms, fostering creativity, stress relief, and personal expression while making art instruction available to working adults and beginners. The piece also connects to a broader art context by referencing the Tony Foster landscape exhibition at the Dayton Art Institute.