This month has been very productive in regard to our ever-developing infrastructure and activity programs.
We reconfigured the pedestal storage area, creating an additional supply area and expanding the pedestal storage room to include a place for our folding tables and surplus lumber. In the kiln area, we sorted and organized the kiln posts and shelves, and added a new worktable in the glaze room that offers more room to move about. We also provided additional shelving in the classroom for the increase in clay intermediate students.
These and other improvements are in store as funds and time permit. Our future tasks are to improve our outdoor kiln area, repair the leaking fan box upstairs and sort through the myriad of tables, flat files, desks, frames, stretchers and assorted useable items.
We are pleased to announce that we began a new art program with Girls Haven. It is an ongoing activity delving into a variety of classes the young ladies will definitely enjoy. We had our first session last Saturday and it was a big hit with the students and the staff. We would like a benefactor to fund the project, but, no matter what, we will continue. Either way we felt it was more important to have a long-term, ongoing program that would benefit the youths at Girls Haven.
We are also working on the logistics with another youth program and we hope others will follow. Our focus has always been to offer assistance to programs wishing to expand their art activities and, fortunately, we have the facility and personnel to do it.
Speaking of classes, we are looking for qualified instructors in various disciplines of art to offer classes independently, or through our current programs and future programs, and even for a referral for private lessons. We’d like to know who is out there, when you are available and what your qualifications are. We have had a lot of requests for classes in art and would like to address those requests. Send info to The Art Studio, Inc. to gregb@artstudio.org.
A special thank you to Caitlin Clay for being our TASIMJAE 2019 juror. Caitlin is the new registrar at the Art Museum of Southeast Texas and I felt it was a good way to introduce Caitlin to the arts community of Southeast Texas. She selected a beautiful collection of art and we appreciate her openness and enthusiasm in interacting the artists and patrons at the opening on April 6.
The exhibition was well received by the public. The artists work, selected and not selected “raised the bar” once again. Each year I am impressed, but not surprised, at the volume of good work, and to see the work of returning entrants get better and better year after year, The Studio deeply appreciates the effort the arts community puts into their creations and the progress I have seen over the years.
It is important to note that Southeast Texas has become a place to watch for up-and-coming artists, and The Art Studio, Inc. has developed a good reputation for our work in supporting art and culture in this part of the state. Keep up the good work and don’t give up. You can only become better at your art by continuing to create it.
Summer ArtSkool is coming up fast. Don’t forget to enroll your little ones — and not so little ones — in this wonderful adventure. Early registration for Studio members has started already. Non-members registration begins May 1. To sign up in April, simply fill out the members form and send it in or sign up at registration. $35 a year is a great deal and you can keep up with all the upcoming events you won’t want to miss.
May 4’s opening reception will feature the TASIMJAE winner from last year, Lisa Reinauer, painting professor from McNeese State University in Lake Charles, La. Lisa has the distinction of winning more first place awards than any other participant in our 34 years of putting on this show. Each time she has presented work it has always been impeccable exhibition worthy of her reputation. Lisa has always encouraged her students and fellow faculty members to enter our annual event and they have earned their fair share of the awards and entries.
Again, the small communities have incredible skill and ability (I don’t like to use the term ‘talent’) beyond their own expectations through hard work and discipline, and these communities have always been the source for artists in the big cities. On Lisa’s application this year she indicated that she didn’t want any awards or shows but simply to enter the exhibition. In a twist of irony, this year, she didn’t make the cut, but one of her students did. First place went to Sajeela Siddiq from McNeese, second place to Keri Stinnett, third to Studio resident Gabe Sellers and honorable mentions went to Studio resident Chris Presley and Grace Chadwick.
Lastly, volunteers are always needed for specific tasks and general support. Come by and lets talk about what you would like to do to make the Studio a better place to serve our community.
Greg Busceme, TASI Director