Sculpting and knitting classes attract budding artists
By Viktoria-Leigh Wagner
WANTAGE — “Teaching students is rewarding and it keeps me growing and learning. I like to inspire and be inspired," said Lisa Herkaler, who has been teaching sculpting and knitting classes at the Sussex-Wantage Library since early February. Hirkaler, an art teacher for the past 11 years at Vernon High School, studied sculpture at Columbia and William Paterson Universities and received her master’s at Columbia University. “Sometimes people see art as just an elective, but for me it’s my major, as it is for some of our students — like my son.”
The lessons — held each Saturday — are sponsored by the Sussex-Wantage Friends of the Library. “The library wants to create a space for community learning,” said Herkaler. “A sequence of lessons engages people. The library is hitting budget cuts, and I love my library and the librarians. I am in support of them.”
Herkaler took a class in community-based arts at Columbia University, where she says she got the idea to “keep doing these classes at the library.” Her sons, High Point High School senior Austin Hirkaler and Travis Hirkaler, 20, of Wantage, volunteer with Lisa at the library. “Art is something I enjoy, something I have a passion for,” said Austin, 18. “I definitely want to pursue art in college.”
High Point senior Jacob Tanis of Wantage, 18, also volunteers his time to help out with the events.
Sculpting
Hamburg resident Kama Murdock, 13, came out for Hirkaler's sculpting class on Feb. 16. Murdock found out about the class through her mom, and said art is “my favorite subject in school.” Murdock was in the process of sculpting a dragon. “It’s not a real thing, so you can use your imagination to put whatever you want into it," said Murdock. "I love detail.” She said she wants to pursue art when she’s older.
Joseph Woods, of Wantage, was busy sculpting a woman. “Art is a hobby I’ve had all my life,” said Woods. Having carved wood and sculpted marble in the past Woods said he's "learned by doing."
“I’m learning how to hollow clay," siad Woods. "I don’t work much with it, but I’ve known the technique.”
Lisa Stellmann, 67, of Vernon, accompanied her grandaughter to the sculpting class. Stellman has been involved with art “maybe 50 years, when I first started painting. I love oil painting.” She said she is from Norway, where art is “part of the culture.”
Knitting
Paula Lerch, 68, of Wantage, attended the knitting class on Feb. 23 and said she comes from a family of artists. “I’ve been an educator all my life teaching different grades, and then locally at Sussex County Community College,” said Lerch. Lerch's son, Jesse, currently teaches art with Lisa Hirkaler at the Peters Valley Craft Center. Jesse has a bachelor's degree in art and architecture, and Lerch’s second-oldest son, Christian, also has a bachelor's degree in art.
“Jesse had [Hirkaler] as a teacher at Sussex Christian and High Point High Schools, and I love her. She made things easy. I’ve wanted to go to her evening knitting sessions, and haven’t been able to make it," said Lerch. "I committed to it this time, and it’s also a great way to meet new people.” Lerch said when it comes to knitting, practice is key. "If you don’t persevere enough to get to the point where you enjoy it, it’s not worth it,” said Lerch.
Erica Schaberg, 14, and Meghan VanAlstyne, 13, also attended the knitting class. “Knitting is a traditional art I got from my mom,” said VanAlstyne, who kints occasionally while while T.V. after school. She was taught by her grandmother how to knit at age 8 or 9.
Schaberg said “knitting is hard, but fun.” VanAlsyne agreed, “It’s hard at first, but once you get the hang of it, it’s actually pretty easy. It doesn’t involve too much, but it’s a peaceful way to keep your hands moving.”
The next knitting class at the Sussex-Wantage Library is on March 9 from 10 a.m. to noon. For more information on the classes, call the library at 973-875-3940.