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Talented teens learn art of painting

Tribune photo by MICHAEL SPOONEYBARGER

Katie Maddox, 17, gets help from John Briggs painter and artist instructor during the free summer program sponsored by the East Hillsborough Art Guild June 10.

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By GEORGE WILKENS

gwilkens@tampatrib.com

Published: June 22, 2009

PLANT CITY - Awarding scholarships to budding artists has been a trademark of the East Hillsborough Art Guild. Now the nonprofit organization is providing 10 talented teens with free painting classes taught by a celebrated Plant City artist.

The hands-on sessions launched June 8 started with the basics. By the end of the course late next month, students will have graduated to self-portraits, said instructor John Briggs, best known locally for his large historical murals.

Students were selected from the two dozen 17- and 18-year-olds who entered work in the youth division of the 2009 Florida Strawberry Festival art show, a popular event organized by the guild.

"What I'm teaching them is the basics," Briggs said. "They're getting a crash course, is what it amounts to."

By the final class on July 28, they will have mastered how to mix paints, blend colors and create flesh tones on canvas. "They're going to build upon their abilities," Briggs said.

Reporter George Wilkens can be reached at (813) 627-4769.

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