Greenbelters Get Dirty with Mud Art

“I like art. This is my favorite kind of art,” said Ryley Komisar-Bury, 7, as she debated whether or not to put a tongue on the snake she had been painting using cotton cloth and mud from New Mexico.

From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, the little art studio in the was full of curious artists who wanted to try traditional mud cloth painting of the Korhogo tribe of Ivory Coast and the Bamana tribe of Mali.

Parents with young children or even very experienced artists could utilize the materials and the use of the studio as a part of a regular free event program Artful Afternoon, which is usually on the first Sunday of every month at the Community Center.

Artist in residence Karen Arrington, 43, who has been at the Community Center for three years, has worked with clay for 12 years.

“We did this particular project before on Greenbelt Day at the and it worked really well so we decided to do it here,” said Arrington.

The specific art form of mud cloth painting is the specialty of Arrington’s sister, Kathye Edwina Arrington, who has been collecting mud from all over the world for the past 15 years. Kathye Arrington has developed her own style and teaches workshops.

“People get mud and dirt for her from all over,” Karen Arrington said with a laugh. “Once her friend came back from a trip and just brought her back a sock full of dirt.”

Over on the artist’s table, Ryley Komisar-Bury decided against the tongue and gave her mud snake dark beady eyes instead.

Ryley’s mother Renna Komisar was very pleased with the event as she watched Ryley and her other daughter Amelia, 9, create their mud cloth paintings.

“The best part about these events is meeting the artist and the quality of the supplies. It’s not like you’re using a little art kit, you actually get to use what the artists themselves use,” said Komisar. “It’s grant money used well.”

The Greenbelt Community Center’s Art Studio Manager Beth Fendlay said the events are always well attended.

“We usually plan for about a hundred people ... the events I’ve been to are always crowded,” said Fendlay. “But usually by the time the event is over, people just don’t want to leave!”

Fendlay said some of the children have been so proud of their artwork that they waved it around proudly to show her.

At 3 p.m., everyone was invited to the gymnasium where the dance company Lesole’s Dance Project performed as the second part of the event.

Lesole’s Dance Project showcases traditional and modern South African dances in an interactive manner. Then they teach the audience the dances. Dances like Gumboots, which originated in the gold mines of South Africa and is performed while wearing miner’s rubber boots. According to the dancers, it was a way for the miners to communicate within the mines and entertain themselves at the same time.

Once the beat started, it was very hard to stay still. The performers were very vibrant and lively and invited people to the stage to teach them.

The next Artful Afternoon themed ‘How does your Garden grow?’ will be May 1, complete with puppet-making and a magic lantern show.