The Social Canvas, Waukee

When students believe they’ve made an errant brushstroke on their canvases, seasoned painter Linda Laughery reassures them that “there are no mistakes.” She believes that each brushstroke, even those that don’t go according to plan, contributes to the uniqueness of every painter. The Social Canvas’ classes typically focus on a particular featured painting depicting images such as a Parisian street scene, a glass of wine, or a vivid landscape. With guidance from Laughery, students re-create the painting and make it their own before bringing the finished masterpiece home to proudly display. "Everybody says they can't do it," Laughery says of those who may not have held a brush since preschool. "But in the end they're shocked that they did."