New home for art Institute's studio
A Columbia County satellite studio of the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art moved to a new home on Sept. 20, but officials say the change shouldn't interrupt classes for the next quarter.
Back
Dorothy Fletcher Eckmann, education director with the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art, holds a painting by instructor Pat McMahon at the institute's new satellite location in Martinez. The studio reopens on Tuesday.
Photo by J. Scott Trubey
Classes are expected to resume as scheduled Tuesday.
Gertrude Herbert staff members have moved art supplies and art work from the old Furys Ferry Road location to a new location in the Merchant's Village shopping center near Kroger, at 4115 Columbia Road, said Dorothy Fletcher Eckmann, the institute's education director.
"We really would like to make a presence in Columbia County long term," she said. "We've had a really good reception from the students (here so far),"
Classes for adults include drawing and sketching, drawing with mixed media, acrylic painting, watercolor painting and a practical photography and composition course. Children's courses vary by age. There are two sections of the mixed media and art appreciation class, one for ages 5-8 and another for ages 9-14. There also is a drawing and painting express class for children ages 9-14.
Classes meet once a week for one and a half to two and a half hours and run from six to eight weeks. Prices vary by class, and members of the institute receive 10 percent discounts on classes, according to the institute's Web site.
Supply fees can apply or students might be required to provide their own supplies.
The studio relies upon donated space, and the previous location was leased to a retail outlet, necessitating the move, Eckmann said, adding that Jim Hull with Hull Storey Retail Group, the owner of the old location, provided the institute its new location in the group's former corporate offices.
"Mr. Hull has been unbelievably generous," Eckmann said. "We feel very fortunate for any accommodations he could give us.
Eisels circle the rear instructional room at the new location of the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art satellite studio in Martinez. Classes resume Tuesday.
photo by J. Scott Trubey
"It's just as convenient as Furys Ferry Road," she said of the new location. "There's plenty of parking, it's easy to get in and out. We feel fortunate to have it."
Since the institute established a satellite studio in Martinez in January, 290 students have enrolled in classes. That figure does not include the Martinez Elementary School art camps, which drew a total of 108 students for the three offered sections.
"The turnout seems to be quite exceptional during the day and that's been a problem downtown because so many of the people who take classes with us downtown work," she said.
The Columbia County location also attracts senior citizens who have difficulty driving downtown at night and mothers who care for their children during the day, she said. The location is convenient for parents to drop their kids off after school, too.
Eckmann said there are still some available spots for the classes that begin Tuesday. For more information, call the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art at 722-5495 or visit www.ghia.org.