Watercolor artist to share painting techniques and art history in week-long residency

New Rockford-Sheyenne (NR-S) Elementary School was awarded an Artist-in-Residence grant by the North Dakota Council on the Arts (NDCA). The grant will help to provide funds for upcoming Artist in Residence, visual artist Linda Roesch.

Roesch is a watercolor and acrylic artist who will work with students in grades K-6 during the residency at NR-S School April 9-13. During the week-long residency, students will learn about different jobs an artist can do and explore elements of design such as line, shape, space and texture. Students will study basic watercolor techniques and use skills learned to create their own patterned paper. Along with creating individual pieces, students in the CORE group will work together to create a final collaborative project in the distinct style of Henri Matisse that is inspired by life in their community.

Roesch will also educate community members during her time here. On Tuesday, April 10 from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. in the NR-S School Lunchroom, Roesch will lead Painting with Scissors - Collage in the style of Henri Matisse. Participants will enjoy the simple art of cut paper collages by creating a stunning black and white collage out of a simple square. Through the class, they will learn about design concepts such as space and balance and see how cut shapes combined with colorful paper can create a variety of interesting designs. Students will also become familiar with the design elements of color, shape and line. Open to artists of all ages and skill levels. All tools and materials will be provided.

Roesch and the students will end the week with a gallery in the school gym on Friday, April 13, from 2-3 p.m., where they will display completed projects from the week's activities.

Since graduating from Northern State University in Aberdeen, S.D., in 2005, Roesch has enjoyed traveling around the country painting "plein air," which means outdoors in French, and selling her works at art fairs and festivals. Her commissioned studio paintings range from silly pet portraits to colorful landscapes, and she has enjoyed sharing her skills teaching adult and elementary classes. Her work has been featured in South Dakota Magazine and displayed at several galleries around South and North Dakota. In January 2018 Roesch completed her first National Parks Artist Residency at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area near Redding, Calif.

Growing up in a rural community, Roesch experienced firsthand the struggles that art programs can face in smaller schools. Roesch believes that art should be a priority and that every child should have access to learning about the arts from a real artist! She looks forward to bringing an upbeat, engaging and colorful program to the school and community.