What better person to teach decorating garden planters than an artist named Charity Flowers?

Flowers, an artist with Stumptown Art Studio, will teach a variety of techniques, including using paint to create an aged patina on terra cotta pots. Scheduled for 12:30 p.m. April 19, the class takes place at Whitefish Community Center, 121 E. Second St.

The course fee of $15 for center members or $16 for nonmembers includes all materials necessary to complete a spring project. People need to register by April 17, by calling 862-4923.

Classes go for two hours to give participants enough time to work at a leisurely pace.

“It’s really a nice block of time for them to get together and visit,” Flowers said. “It’s open to all ages, although it does tend to be more seniors.”

According to the artist, this class features a number of simple techniques to brighten up basic pots and planters. Flowers uses all water-based, nontoxic paint.

She will demonstrate each technique, and then participants get to choose which direction and level of complexity appeals to them.

“If somebody wants to get really detailed with flowers and a pattern, they certainly can,” she said. “If they want to do an overall sponging effect, it’s super easy.” Flowers brings a different art form each month to the Whitefish Community Center. She said the classes are part of Stumptown Art Studio’s outreach Art from the Heart program.

The nonprofit organization conducts many fundraisers to support their artists going out to offer low-cost classes to the community.

“I also go to a couple of homes for the disabled through our Art from the Heart program,” Flowers said.

She took over teaching at the community center about a year ago. Her classes range from craft projects to more traditional fine arts, such as printmaking and painting.

Students at Whitefish Community Center cover a broad range of ages. Flowers estimated that most are in their 60s, but she recalled one couple their 30s and some in their 80s who hop on the bus, which drops them off at the center.

They bring diverse artistic skills to the table.

“We have people who were art educators, and they get very detailed and specific with things,” Flowers said. “We had a couple last time, a retired older couple, who had never painted.”

The two with no experience dove into the winter landscape painting on canvas with great enthusiasm. Flowers said their results were very good.

“The lady’s was one of the best,” she said.

Flowers started her artistic training at Flathead Valley Community College. She finished her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco.

“I’m still there,” she said. “I’m finishing up my master’s online in sculpture.”

According to Flowers, art classes provide more than an opportunity to exercise creativity. She said the events give seniors an important opportunity to connect with one another while maybe finding a satisfying hobby.

She usually brings in coffee and snacks to help create a social environment.

“I remember one retired couple who had just moved here,” Flowers said. “They came to a watercolor class to try something new and different, but in a big way to meet people. They wanted to get out and see what the community had to offer.”

For more information about activities at the community center, visit www.whitefishcommunitycenter.org.

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by email at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.