MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- If you love to paint or want to, and you’re near Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, you now have reason to jump for joy.
The legendary legacy of the Bob Ross painting technique is being taught during new weekday classes hosted by Melody A. Panneton, a certified Bob Ross instructor.
Classes during the day are held every Wednesday and evening classes are held every other Tuesday and Thursday at the Tarawa Terrace Community Center, said Panneton, adding that anybody can take part in the classes so long as they are Department of Defense related. Civilians who are not DoD related can also attend as long as they have a DoD sponsor.
The cost of supplies and attendance is $40. If a student has his own supplies the cost for attendance is only $25.
“I have some awesome students, and in four hours they start with an empty canvas and end up with masterpieces to take home,” said Panneton. “That’s how I got into it. Thirty years ago my husband was in the Marine Corps and he was gone all the time, so I needed something to do. I loved painting so much I decided I needed to share it with everyone.”
Denise Martin, a military spouse and one of Panneton’s students for the last year, said she has her own reasons for painting.
“It’s my therapy, and it helps me decrease any stress,” said Martin. “I think I actually heard about it in the Globe, but I’ve been doing it for a year now and I can’t encourage people enough to come on out.”
In addition to the regular Bob Ross classes, there will soon be children’s painting with Bob Ross classes starting July 13.
For more information about painting classes visit mccslejeune.com/community or call 450-1687.
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