The Weatherly Art League welcomed people of all ages and abilities to its second open studio session at Tweedle Park on Thursday afternoon.

The art league formed last September as an outlet for the community’s numerous artisans to share their knowledge and display their work, said founder Joe Thomas.

Thomas, a woodworker, painter and photographer, said he started the art league while he was serving on borough council.

“Tamaqua has an art league. Hazleton has an art league. Jim Thorpe has an art league,” he said, noting it was time for Weatherly to be able to showcase its talent.

But it’s not just for Weatherly residents or skilled artisans - everyone is welcome, said Maddie Zink, who has taken the reins as president of the league.

“We want everyone to feel welcome ... and be welcome,” she said.

About 25 people came out to the studio session on Thursday, where watercolor and crochet were being taught. The cost was $5 for the materials, and annual membership forms were available.

Membership is $15 for adults, $10 for juniors or those under 18, and $30 for families up to four people, and people can join any time during the year, said Zink, a Weatherly Area alumna who studied art education at Kutztown University.

Zink, who returned home to Weatherly after teaching in the North Schuylkill School District for nine years, got nominated for the top spot in the league because of her art education background, she joked.

Zink currently teaches pre-kindergarten to 12th-grade art in the Weatherly Area School District, following in her mentors’ footsteps, she said. Zink joined the district when both of the district’s long-time art teachers retired the same year.

“The league is starting small with monthly art open studios in which the community can come out and learn new techniques with various art materials,” she said.

“We hope to grow and have more members join, along with being able to host more of a variety of classes,” Zink said.

The league is using space at Tweedle Park, but hopes to find a permanent home in town, both Thomas and Zink said.

It also unveiled its logo Thursday night, which features the tower of the former Schwab School that dominates Weatherly’s skyline. The face of the tower clock is an artist’s palette and paint brush.

The league already has a mission statement and is working on its nonprofit status, Zink said.

She hopes more people continue to support the league, as they’ve already seen growth from the first studio session.

Danielle Steward brought her daughters, 7-year-old twins Dakota and Cheyenne, and 9-year-old Sierra, who attend Weatherly Area.

“This is our first time, because I was off today,” she said. “The girls love art.”

Michele Surochak of Freeland brought her granddaughter, Charlotte Stallone, and both tried their hand at watercolor.

“I think it’s wonderful that it’s something that a grandparent, grandchild can do together,” she said, and her granddaughter said she couldn’t wait to start painting.

Growing up, Surochak’s mother and grandmother taught her sewing skills starting when she was eight, she said.

“I had to learn to crochet. I had to learn how to sew, and I had to learn embroidery,” she said. “And I’m so grateful for it now.”

One of the tables during the open studio featured crochet with numerous projects of varying size laid out, but most other tables were set up for watercolor.

Thomas said that the hopes the league will allow people to gather, socialize and pass on their skills, such as knitting and crochet, to the next generation, Thomas said.

“The main goal is to give people something to do, especially the senior citizens and the community’s children,” he said.