We have a wonderful treasure right here in Eureka Springs. It’s call ESSA, The Eureka Springs School of the Arts. This venue offers workshops in arts and crafts throughout the year for interested, emerging and professional artists. Award-winning and noted artists and crafts persons guide students to learn new art forms and expand their current skill levels. Their mission statement says it all: In the belief that art is vital to the human spirit, the Eureka Springs School of the Arts is committed to cultivating, promoting, and encouraging artistic expression by providing art education opportunities in a unique environment of beauty and creativity.
Examples of some classes include “Intro to Wheel Throwing in Clay” for beginning students, taught in a real artist’s studio by Terry L. Russell, who has been a clay artist for 40 years. Students will learn the basic skills for making vessels on the potters wheel.
Or you could try “Introduction to Jewelry Making”, “Metalsmithing: Wrap, Stitch, Fold & Rivet”, “Basic Acrylic Painting” and even “Marketing for the Professional Artist Series”. There is “Digital Photography”, “Introduction to Botanical Painting”, or “Bookmaking”. A wide variety of classes are offered and you can see their 2012 calendar on their website.
There are even limited scholarships that are available, awarded on the basis of merit and need and are granted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Come stay with us while you study – we’ll make sure you’re well-fed and get to where you need to go. And we would love to see your work when you finish!
Warmest regards,
Jeff and Nadara (Sam) Feldman – and Sophie, too!
