One is never bored in Beacon, thanks to all of the groups that get created by citizens, meeting in easily accessible places like the Library, Quinn's, and the Parks and Recreation Department. Learning about these groups and keeping up with when they meet is a job in and of itself. We're always learning about new ones here at A Little Beacon Blog, and adding them to the Adult Classes Guide when we do.

One such group is having an exhibition at the Howland Public Library during October, opening on Saturday, October 8 - Beacon's Second Saturday. The Thursday Painters group is a weekly three-hour class for seniors offered by the Beacon Recreation Department and taught by local artist Jan Dolan. Many of the Thursday Painters have been painting for decades, while others, like Jean Noack, are enjoying the process of awakening their hidden talent. "I enjoy the class because it is made up of a nice group of students who are friendly, creative and are willing to help each other," Jean says. "Also, our teacher Jan Dolan of Beacon is a talented artist, and in addition, she is a wonderful teacher." The class has been meeting for over two years and, according to Jean, "The Recreation Director, Mark Price, has been highly supportive." The show at the library this Second Saturday will be the group’s second exhibit, and runs through November 5.

While in the Beacon Thursday Painters class, Jean tapped into her fondness of the Dummy Light, located on Beacon's east end, and created a series. "When I started in this class [Beacon Thursday Painters], I did portraits of each of my three cats. Then, I moved on to do an oil painting of Beacon's Dummy Light. I am a native of Beacon and used to pass it each day as I walked to school from my home on Fishkill Avenue to Forrestal School. I took a photo of my Dummy Light painting and shrunk the image and I hand-made Dummy Light Christmas ornaments and magnets at my kitchen table. For a while there, it was a regular production line as I made them for friends and sold others. Never could I have seen myself in retirement making pin money from my art!"

Jean's most recent painting of the Dummy Light will be on display at the Beacon Historical Society's "Hats Off to the Beacon Historical Society!" this Second Saturday at Beacon Bath & Bubble, located at 458 Main Street in Beacon, near the Lauren & Riley boutique (who was just featured in the Highlands Current!).

The Howland Public Library is presenting an exhibition of work by the Beacon Thursday Painters from October 8th through November 5th. An artists’ reception will be held on Beacon's Second Saturday, October 8th, from 5 to 7pm.

The Howland Public Library is located at 313 Main St., Beacon NY 12508. The Community Room Exhibit Space is open during regular library hours. Please note: The gallery may not be accessible during some library programs. Please consult the library calendar at beaconlibrary.org. Artists interested in exhibiting at the library should contact community@beaconlibrary.org.