Bebe Crowther believes anybody can learn to paint.

Crowther was not one of those children who began drawing at a very young age, but she came into her own after she was forced to learn the art in high school.

"In 10th grade, I was taking Latin but wanted French," Crowther said. "They couldn't fit it into my schedule, so they stuck me in a vocational art course. I fought the principal and teacher the whole year."

But by the time she was finished high school, she had earned a five-year scholarship to the former Women's School of Design, now Moore College of Art in Philadelphia.

After graduating, Crowther became an art teacher, putting her husband through college and seminary.

She taught painting and art appreciation for six years at King's College in Delaware. "I had the whole basketball team one year," she said.

After quitting teaching to raise her children, Crowther returned to the classroom in the early 1960s. She taught at East Stroudsburg and Stroudsburg high schools and the private Kirkridge School in Bangor. She also taught workshops and at an art center in Philadelphia.

Now 84 years old and a resident of Garden Spot Village Retirement Community, Crowther still teaches workshops and art classes.

"I love teaching," Crowther said. "It's so good to see somebody produce something. I've had some pretty good artists who were hard workers. You can't paint unless you work; those who work, learn."

Besides teaching, Crowther loves to paint scenery (especially paths) and flowers in watercolor or oil.

"I've been a watercolorist most of my life, but I also enjoy oils," she said.

Because "you never stop learning," Crowther still attends workshops with nationally known artists such as John Pike, Janet Walsh, Jean Dobie, Dominic DeStefino and T.M. Nicholas. Her favorite teacher, however, is Jack Collins.

Crowther is a life member of the Philadelphia Water Color Club. She also is a member of Berks Art Alliance, where she paints every Thursday and has started a critique group. Every other month, 15 artists bring two paintings, which are critiqued by the rest of the group. "It's a great experience," Crowther said.

Crowther's paintings have won numerous awards, including a best of show at Orland Art Center for her painting of daisies, which has become her favorite painting.

She also won prizes at Delaware Art Center, Woodmere Art Museum and Manayunk Art Center.

Her paintings have been in juried shows in Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New England.

"I've been rejected from only one juried show," she said. "I sell most of what I put in."

Crowther has had solo shows in Philadelphia, Reading and Ambler.

Gypsy Hill Gallery in Lititz carries her artwork.

She also will be displaying her work from 2 to 6 p.m. March 24 and 12:30 to 4 p.m. March 25 at Garden Spot Village's Village Square Indoor Park, alongside artwork by Win Reber and carvings by John Edwards. A reception for Garden Spot Village residents will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. March 23.

E-mail Lori Van Ingen at lvaningen@lnpnews.com.