Michelle ‘Meish’ Claus (she/they) is a multi-media, queer, Midwest born artist currently living in Charleston, West Virginia. She is a Tamarack Juried Artisan, an avid hiker, kayaker, and forager of medicinal plants and fungi who is inspired by the beauty of each season and the colorful patterns of the forest. She recognizes the importance of shape and texture when identifying trees by their bark in the winter months, and particularly when locating edible mushrooms. This attention to detail translates in her artwork, which features vibrant though often overlooked natural remains and imaginative animals. Meish uses acrylic blended with water to create most of her paintings at her home studio. She often experiments with other mediums and techniques including limestone carving, and linoleum relief printing.

Stop by the Crankie Station to add your own artistic flair to our big, Arthurdale-themed crankie! We will have plenty of pencils, pens, and markers.

Drawing prompts for the Arthurdale Crankie:

• What do you see around Arthurdale?
• Can you incorporate what you know of Arthurdale’s history?
• What is your favorite thing about Arthurdale?

Usually made of wood, they can be found in many shapes in sizes, vary in complexity, and differ modes of operation/movement. However, jig dolls are most commonly wooden, humanoid puppets which are operated by a single person with a wooden dowel inserted in its back and a  long, flexible plank for the doll to clog/dance on.