Fall 2008 Update

howdy folk.

here’s the update…

NEWS:

after a year of experimenting with pilot programs in borrowed spaces, we’ve put down roots.  we’d like to give the many artists, students, teachers, and parents who’ve expressed interest in our programs an easier way to visit… to know us… to get involved.  we’re excited to have our very own studio space and are hard at work painting and nesting and such.  laura will be directing our STUDIO E programs, and as many of our students know, she is full of ideas and enthusiasm.  she’ll be diving right into our revived ‘open studio’ program starting monday november 10th!  currently we’re welcoming students of high-school-ish age to come and make art.  bring school projects, or independent projects, or ask for suggestions and we can get you started.  we’re looking to expand our roster of host-artists who are willing to welcome students and show them around (if needed) or give pointers (if needed).  we particularly welcome undergraduate art students to come and host!  this is a volunteer position but you will receive a small stipend to cover gas.  additionally, you can use our paint and other supplies for free while you’re here.  need studio/homework space?  need a change of scene to work on projects for school?  come host with us!  call or e-mail for more info.

we’re excited about year number two.  we learned a lot of lessons in year one and are embracing the grassrootsyness of our infancy as we move into year two.  we’ll be focused on being present.  being patient.  making friends.  as always our smallness makes us flexible.  if YOU have an idea for an arts-related event or course that you’d like to help make happen, then by all means PITCH IT to us!

EVENTS:

november 7th - open house at our new studio from 3p - 7p.  pop your head in and check it out… make a drawing… meet a staff member.  no need to RSVP - just show up.  we’re in the back of old st.elizabeth’s church in west norwood.  our studio is on the second floor of the classroom building - the entrance is at the corner of lincoln ave and carter ave.  just walk on in and come find us.  of course, you’re always welcome to stop by during scheduled open studio hours.

november 10th - open studio is back.  other than some occasional interruptions for holidays and such, we hope to make this offering an ongoing program for years to come.  we’ll be starting with a monday/thursday schedule, with plans to expand as soon as we go.   call or check the website to confirm the weekly schedule during holidays and between academic semesters.  if you are interested in attending but have extra-curricular activities that conflict, give us an idea of when you’d like to see our doors open and we’ll take that into consideration when adding shifts.

november 22nd we will be hosting an art show based on the work created by michael wilson and a quartet of our students during a week-long visit to Our Daily Bread.  all five photographers will display work, and there will be a facilitated lecture/conversation about the event, with a particular focus on the added human dimension and complexity that comes with photographing strangers.  location TBD.  another announcement will go out when the details are settled.  in the meantime, save the date!

as always - students artists seeking tutorials should contact us directly for one-on-one attention.

OPPORTUNITIES:

give stuff - now that we have our own space, we can more easily accept donations of art materials and supplies, healthful snack items and bottled water for hungry artists, etc.  donations are tax deductible.
give time - as mentioned above, we’d like to fill our roster of host artists so that we can expand our schedule.  if you’d like to host open studio or have ideas for another way you might provide educational services to our students then contact us with your ideas/interest.
give cash - it takes a remarkably small amount of money to keep our doors open.  it takes a remarkably large amount of money to engage in vigorous non-profit-style fundraising.  we’re still learning how to walk that balance and maximize each dollar in ways that make good sense.  your contributions MATTER.  they matter even more if we didn’t have to waste money begging you for them in exchange for a STUDIO E travel mug that you don’t actually want.  contributions dedicated to our tangible expenses can go a long way toward keeping our doors open.  consider sponsoring a student, sponsoring a scholarship fund, sponsoring a staff member.  consider helping with the rent, the phone bill, the cost of insurance.  help us forge a network of support so we can continue to invite art and culture into west norwood and into the hearts of its youth for years to come.

for artists - for those of you in our artist community who are not inclined to teach - consider contributing your skills to our work in a different way.  we have some opportunities brewing for artists of all sorts - including instrumentalists, painters, sculptors, writers, etc.  if you’re open to experimenting and collaborating with your art and are looking for a community with which to do so, put yourself on our non-teaching artist list and learn more about our sneaky plans by contacting douglas@stelizabetharts.com

THANKS FOR READING!