Area opportunities can help bring out your artistic side
Story by Molly Morris
Photos by Julie Smith
Never let lack of supplies or studio space prevent you from getting artsy. These area locations offer painting classes or DIY craft projects to turn even the most artistically-challenged of us into a Picasso in training.
This is by no means a complete list of the Capital City’s art opportunities but should provide a good start to get the creative juices flowing. With numerous changing hours and services due to the pandemic, check the businesses’ websites before donning that painter’s smock.
Janis Burgin: Teaching at the Art Gallery-Studio, 1014 Northeast Drive
With decades of painting experience, Jefferson City-based artist Janis Burgin has taught classes for numerous businesses, schools and organizations over the years. Currently, she teaches out of the new Art Gallery-Studio, which also exhibits some of her work. She hosts classes on certain Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays each month; information on dates and times is posted on Burgin’s Facebook page, JB Art Studio. Techniques taught include oil, watercolor and acrylic painting. Classes, which vary in theme but often include landscape and nature scenes, cost $30, or $45 with supplies. Burgin is also planning a four-day summer camp the last week of July at the Art Gallery-Studio, which will include two-hour per day workshops on various techniques. It is open to participants age 8 and older for $70.
DIY Creative Studio: 6002 Elston Road
If craft and sewing projects are your thing, Suzanne Rousch at DIY Creative Studio has you covered. Rousch initially began with just sewing lessons but has expanded her offerings to include wreath-making, embroidery, canvas painting, vinyl projects and wooden signs. She typically offers two classes per week at her studio space near Capital Mall. Private classes or studio rental is also available. Classes, which usually have around 10 students, are advertised on the DIY Creative Studio Facebook page. Ticket prices vary based on the class (a canvas painting is $40, for example) and can be purchased through a link on the Facebook event. New this year, Rousch is offering art kits each month; they run $15-$20 and contain supplies for a different seasonal or holiday-related craft project. For more information or to receive alerts on upcoming classes, text 573-279-3163.
Students participate in an Easter-themed painting class taught by Cindy Schnieders at Art 101 on Boonville.
Art 101 on Boonville: 101 Boonville Road
With classes in numerous mediums for all levels of aspiring artists, Art 101 on Boonville is sure to bring out your creative side. The studio offers weekly, two-hour glass fusing classes at 5:30 p.m. Fridays for $30-$60 as well as “Canvas and Cocktail” events at 6 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays. Painting instructor Cindy Schnieders said the “paint-and-sip” classes allow adults to bring their own drinks and create a piece of art, perfect for birthday celebrations and bachelorette parties; the classes start at $30. Art 101 also offers private lessons, Saturday kids classes, and group classes in painting, glass fusing and mixed media. A summer kids camp is also in the works. For more details on Art 101’s offering, visit their website and Facebook page.
Unique Creations: 120 E. High St.
Looking for a creative outlet without the structure of a class? With several DIY pottery-painting projects available, Unique Creations is the place to let loose. Owner Lisa Kindle said the pieces customers make at the downtown business are entirely their own creations, with no instructor present. Prices depend on the pottery selected — plates, mugs, garden gnomes, etc. — but average around $20. During the pandemic, Kindle started offering to-go kits where customers could pick up all the needed supplies, take it home to paint then return it to be fired in the Unique Creations’ kiln. While in-person offerings are available Tuesday through Saturday, Kindle said the to-go kits remain popular. Kindle also owns Unique Creations Candle Bar a few doors down at 114 E. High St., which allows a similar DIY experience: Customers pick out their favorite scented oils and, with the help of trained employee, pour their own custom candles. Soaps, shower gels, room sprays and diffusers are also available; the cost ranges around $20. The Candle Bar is currently open Fridays through Sundays. Visit the Unique Creations Facebook page for upcoming details on art classes, summer camps and subscription boxes.
Capital Arts: 1203 Missouri Blvd.
In addition to its gallery showcasing mostly local artists’ work in numerous exhibitions each year, Capital Arts offers occasional art classes and an Imagination Station for children and families to get crafty. While most classes have been canceled or put on hold due to the pandemic, Capital Arts’ acting executive director, Holly Nunn, said she’s hopeful more regular events, including a possible summer camp, will be returning soon. The Imagination Station is fully stocked with paint, markers, paper, beads, lace and just about everything needed for the perfect craft project. Donations of at least $1 are asked, and it is open during exhibition hours — 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursdays, 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Fridays and 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays. This month, Capital Arts also launched its art project bag, which Nunn hopes will become a regular feature at Capital Arts. For $25, you can pick up a kit complete with instructions and supplies for a craft project — this month, it’s to make clay flowers and comes with cookie cutters, watercolors, air dry paper clay and green paper clips. For more information and potentially increased hours, check the Capital Arts website and Facebook page.
LabSpace Robotics: Capital Mall and online
Known for teaching robotics and coding lessons for children and families, LabSpace Robotics in Capital Mall also offers art classes from local artist and former elementary school teacher Amy Greenbank. The classes, which are geared toward elementary and middle school-aged students, have been popular for families homeschooling their children. Currently, all of LabSpace’s classes are online only, though that is evolving with in-person classes likely returning in July. Greenbank said there will be some online and some in-person art classes this fall, in line with the start of the school year. Online art classes, which are held on Mondays, are $30 per family, per month. In-person classes are $65 for five classes. For more details on art classes as well as the other science-related lessons and to sign up, visit LabSpace’s website or Facebook page.
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