Julia Gray: Retiree Explores Her Love of Art at Carroll

Julia Gray possesses a love for art that inspires her to take as many art classes as she can at Carroll Community College.

The resident of Winfield-Sykesville, who had worked as a nurse in surgical intensive care and in the emergency room before retiring, took her first art class at Carroll as a novice who had never drawn before.

“Mastering art was on my list of what to do when I retired,” she said. “The classes at Carroll are affordable and provide excellent quality instruction.”

The classes at Carroll are affordable and provide excellent quality instruction.

Gray and her sister K. Marlene Conaway have enjoyed myriad art classes at Carroll, including Drawing and Painting; Great Drawing of the Ages; Watercolor Painting; and Studio Art, among others. The sisters have always shared mutual interests throughout their lives, such as kayaking, climbing trees, biking and horses. Now they treasure their time together taking classes.

“My sister and I travel around the United states,” said Gray. “In every city, I visit art museums and now I understand what I am seeing. I have learned to appreciate art. By taking classes at Carroll, I am building confidence and learning my personal style of painting.”

Gray said she looks forward to a planned tour of the Grand Canyon National Park. She imagines all the beauty she will capture on her canvases.

Presently a member of the Sykesville Art Society, she finds that her passion for drawing and painting has developed into one of the best hobbies she ever had, and she credits Carroll for the experience.