Under the watchful eyes of a grandmother and great aunt, who were artists, my artistic talents were encouraged at an early age and I was enrolled in Saturday art lessons taught by Nashvillians, Chris Tibbott and Angel Crouch.  Art classes continued through high school and I graduated in 1972 from the University of Tennessee with degrees in Art Education and Psychology and a minor in Fine Arts.

After college, raising a family and working as a high school counselor joyfully filled my time, but, after a long hiatus, I resumed my active involvement in art when high school friends suggested weekly painting sessions and The Benham Avenue Group was born.  I've studied with Charles Brindley for the past five years and participated in a variety of workshops. Today, I am involved with art on a daily basis and see painting as a path into the future that is full of exciting challenges and possibilities for growth. 

Anita Woodcock Schmid