Nationally Renowned Artist to Present Course at Panola College

Local artists and art aficionados are invited to participate in a unique offering available through Panola College.  On April 7-9, Mr. Jim Hamil, recognized as one of the most prominent watercolor artists in the country, will lead a continuing education watercolor painting course at the main campus in Carthage, TX.

Jim Hamil was born in 1937 and raised in the heart of America. Hamil graduated from the School of Fine Arts at the University of Kansas in 1958. He worked as an artist for Hallmark Cards for fifteen years. Since 1973 he has devoted full time to his career as a professional artist. Hamil’s love and respect for the region is shown in his depiction of his native land. The rolling hills of Kansas, the plains of Texas, the corn fields of Iowa, the rivers, creeks and streams of the Great Plains are mirrored through his beautiful paintings.

Hamil’s paintings are in many fine corporate and private collections. He has received numerous awards in national and regional shows. Hamil has illustrated two books, Farmland U.S.A., which he produced with his father, and Return to Kansas, which he produced with his wife. Both books are filled with Hamil's wonderful watercolors of the beautiful and diverse landscape of the Midwest.

Hamil has given much of his time to worthy causes. During his visit to Carthage he will be meeting with students from Panola College’s Fine Arts Department and visiting local elementary and secondary schools demonstrating his watercolor painting skills. Hamil has taught at the Kansas City Art Institute and also conducts watercolor seminars throughout the Midwest, Colorado and California.

The watercolor course will be limited to 30 participants. Seats will be filled on a first come, first serve basis. The three day course will begin on April 7 at 6:30 pm in room 101 of the Rhea Fine Arts Building.  The cost is $35 plus the cost of supplies. Registration is simple, call 903-693-1193 for details.  

Mr. Hamil’s visit to Panola College was made possible through a grant from the Pool Foundation. The Pool Foundation’s continuing support has made it possible for Panola College to bring Master Teachers to campus. These individuals are leaders in their respective fields, and students benefit from the unique opportunity to meet and receive instruction from them.