The Community Art Garden in Chester, Vermont has moved to a new space this summer and is starting to offer a new line of classes geared towards artists of all ages.
“I believe that everyone is an artist,” Community Art Garden Owner/Founder Emily Burkland said. “And at the Community Art Garden we offer ‘100 languages’ of art — something for everyone.” Burkland’s background is in early childhood education where she specialized in the Reggio Emilia Approach, based on the philosophy and schools of Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Lead by visionary teacher Loris Malaguzzi, the schools of Reggio Emilia focus on exceptionally beautiful environments and arts education. Malaguzzi believed that children had “100 Languages” and these schools strived to help them learn to communicate with all of them.
Burkland takes this approach with her vision of the Community Art Garden. It is a place for people to come and connect with their inner artist.
“People of all ages need art — not just those with an affinity towards it,” she explained. “Part of our mission at the studio is to engage as many people as we can, both in our community and surrounding communities, in hands-on art. We try and offer something for everyone so people of all ages feel free to create and connect with the materials of their choosing.”
Looking around at the shelves stocked neatly with colorful materials, one feels drawn to create. There is clay, paint, beads, wire, recycled items — truly something for everyone just waiting to be explored.
Art has been shown to be an important part of healing and therapy for many. When we have access to it and the freedom to create, it can be a transformative part of our lives. The Community Art Garden hopes to reach more people in their new location on the Green on Main Street. The studio’s location is at 287 Main Street, Chester, Vermont (right next to Six Loose Ladies Yarn store). It is conveniently located with a big glass window so you can stop by and peek at what is going on.
New classes include Art Play (for ages two and older) will run Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Family Art Play (for babies and caregivers, and siblings welcome) will run Mondays from 10-11. The Open Studio will start up in 2020 and run after school on Mondays from 3:00 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Additionally, you can register for two holiday events: A Holiday Crafternoon for grades K-6 which runs Monday, Dec. 16 from 3:00 p.m. to 5 p.m., and A Solstice Art Party (an all ages, family style event) set to run Saturday, Dec. 21 from 10:00 a.m. to noon. Last but not least, Mindy Fisher will be back running a Pet Portrait Class on Saturday, Jan. 18 from 11:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. You can find more about Mindy’s work at www.mindyfisher.com
For a full list of upcoming classes, events and more — you can visit their website www.communityartgarden.com.
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