WHEN CURRICULUMS FALL SHORT Jackson Art Studio & Gallery Raises the Bar Words by Janis A. Pryor; photos by Jackson Art Studio
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or years, Jackson Art Studio & Gallery, located in Jackson, New Hampshire, has worked to design and provide a range of art classes and workshops for children, teenagers, and young people, as well as adults. Melanie Barash Levitt, professional artist and owner of the Jackson Art Studio & Gallery, stated, “We are committed to bringing art into the lives of everyone, but especially children and young people. With so many cutbacks in school budgets, we are happy to use the summer season to expose them to the possibilities and lessons learned
children in a fun and exciting way. Levitt says many kids have grown up taking art classes at her studio, from the time they were in kindergarten to high school. Some have become interns at the studio, going on to prestigious art schools. “Melanie has been an important mentor in applying to college and eventually developing a finished portfolio,” said Gillian Robert, one of the current interns at the gallery. “She helped me get into my dream art school and has encouraged me to understand what I want to do in the future.
through creating art.” Enhancing the camps, workshops, and classes offered, the gallery has local instructors who are professional artists, as well as artists that come in from all over the country to teach. Levitt’s mission is to give kids an outlet and a relaxed place to be creative while exposing them to different art forms. With only one hour of art a week in most schools (some less), too many children come to the studio not having the motor skills to cut with scissors or even use crayons to color. Simple things we take for granted, like holding a paintbrush or scribbling with a crayon or pencil is an indication of how their motor skills are developing … or not! Levitt and her instructors work with the
I have the opportunity to explore many areas of art at teen classes and adult workshops.” Levitt said, “I take the interns under my wing and give them experience in running a studio and gallery while being able to take free classes. I also help them develop portfolios. They get real-life experience while helping with shows and hanging artwork; they also assist with classes for younger kids, distribute flyers, organize supplies, gesso canvases, and help with pricing artwork. They come to the studio and work two to three hours a week and love being surrounded by colorful, quality, local art.” Many of her interns develop close ties with Levitt and characterize their experiences as “the one thing they look forward
Many kids have grown up taking art classes at the studio, from the time they were in kindergarten to high school. Some have become interns at the studio, going on to prestigious art schools.
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