Gallup kids – and adults – will soon be getting another chance to express themselves artistically as gallupARTS is opening its Studio123 at ART123 Gallery.
According to a press release published Jan. 17, Studio123 is an “artist-led, dynamic classroom and workshop space” and it’s meant for all ages. gallupARTS’s goal with the studio is to increase access to arts education for the Gallup community and provide “high quality arts learning and creative experiences for young and lifelong learners.”
In an interview with the Sun, gallupARTS Executive Director Rose Eason explained that there’s not a lot of art programming for youth in Gallup, inside or outside of the traditional classroom. She also explained why art is so important for kids.
“... [Art] is so essential for kids to build their identieis and their self esteem, and it gives them a creative outlet that helps with everything from their mental health and well being to their confidence and all of that,” Eason said.
gallupARTS has three programs planned for Studio123 as of right now.
Kids’ Crafter-noons will be held every Friday from 1 pm to 3 pm starting Feb. 3. Kids 8 years old and older can choose from projects engineered by local artist Sheila Nez. They can complete as many as they want within a single session, or choose to work on one project over multiple sessions. The drop-in rate is $5 a person.
Weekend Workshops will be held on the last Saturday of every month. These workshops are designed for adults and taught by local artists. The first one on Feb. 25 will focus on classic calligraphy.
The final program that gallupARTS has planned for the immediate future is a spring break art camp. The event will be held March 13 through March 18 starting at 9 am and ending at 3 pm each day.
According to the press release, the spring camp will “give kids the opportunity to explore different media, create a meaningful, personal project, be immersed in Gallup’s art history and scene, and meet local artists.”
Eason said she hopes all three programs, but especially the Crafter-noons, inspires kids and the community as a whole to be more creative.
“We’re hoping we build a community of kids who are all coming in and hanging out and making art together,” Eason said. “We want [Studio123] to become a safe place, a welcoming, inclusive, kid-friendly, kid-empowering space.”
The Studio123 program is supported in part by an award from New Mexico Arts, a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs, and by the National Endowment for the Arts. It is also made possible by the generosity of “Kids Need Art” donors.
For more information about Studio123 visit galluparts.org.
By Molly Ann Howell
Sun Correspondent