The Artist Palette Studio is officially open for classes. The Artist Colony in Englewood is teaming up with the Englewood YMCA at 701 Medical Blvd., and classes kick off July 22 at 10 a.m. You’ll find the studio just to the left as you walk in.
By July 20, artists had already filled up slots for 30 different classes running through July and August. There’s a big lineup, but some classes are on the smaller side and can fill up quickly.
Artists are still looking over their schedules and signing up to teach both adults and children. You’ll see a lot of special options, too: Mom (or Dad) and Me, Date Nights, After School for Kids, Girl’s Night Out, and plenty more.
Stained glass, quilling, 3D cards, beading, felting, batik, custom hats, resin, and the list keeps growing. Classes run during the day, in the evenings, and on weekends. “Our artists are offering the same class at different days and times,” explained Sydney Martin, director of The Artist Colony. “With the YMCA’s big membership, we want to make sure everyone finds a class that fits their schedule.”
The Artist Colony is getting ready to celebrate five years in the fall, and it’s marking its second year as a 501c3 nonprofit. Since September, the group has collected more than $10,000 worth of musical instruments and gear, which they’ve repaired and handed out to Lemon Bay High and L.A. Ainger Middle School. What happens to instruments they can’t fix? They become art and the group then auctions them off. “Rock the Track, Jack,” a life-size sculpture, is on display with his saxophone in the Chophouse lounge.
The Marching Band still needs three new sousaphones, $30,000 in total. They received part of that, so the fundraising continues this season. They’ve already hosted two benefit concerts: one for the music department, one for St. David’s Pantry. This season, they’re planning six Sunday benefit concerts and family festivals. While they no longer have events like FAME, the seafood, or the shrimp festival, live music isn’t going away. “As a nonprofit, we’re focused on bringing entertainment to the community and channeling donations to local causes.”
Click here to go to The Artist Colony Facebook page for more information.
