Community artisan art studios are art studios for those well-knitted communities that care about uplifting everyone as much as possible. They try by all means to provide affordable classes for everyone so that they can get as many people as possible to join. Their primary goal is to equip the less fortunate with tools that will advance their careers. These community art studios are usually put in place by people that see all the hurt and pain in their neighborhoods. A lot of the founders hope to add a bit of hope to the community and to give people something to look forward to.

Summer of Lush Gift

Summer Of Lush gift is a community artisan studio that is run by an art teacher (Pauline Stanley). She is aided by a group of artists who have experience with mental health issues. This community artisan art studio was created to help people in the community who suffer from all forms of mental health. Pauline and the rest of the team also hoped to offer people with mental illness as well as learning disabilities a safe space to express themselves through art. They believe that providing daily art activities benefits the artists both mentally and physically.

The studio has beautiful decorations that are put up on the walls, with most of the artwork coming from previous students. Some artisan artists do graphics and design work for online gambling sites such as Unibet PA and many others. Some of the work that is put up includes photography, tie and dye material, lino cutting, and felting. The studio offers a peer to peer system to help some of the artists work better as well as to have someone to talk to about any issue that might affect them. They also have free-flowing conversations in the studio as they work. There is no doubt that such an environment is therapeutic and helps bring out the creative juices.

The studio also has a social support worker to help people who come there and need help. Pauline says that their programs do not have time limits because people do not recover in the space of six weeks from their trauma, they recover when it is their time. It is for this reason that these sessions are flexible and people can go there as often and as long as they want. Her degree in Fine Art, as well as her previous work experience with mental issues, puts her in a unique position to help people as well as to impart her knowledge on others. She states that art is often seen as a luxury, but that is wrong because it should be part of everyone’s daily life. It should be made available to all because of its ability to help people forget about their problems and focus on something beautiful.

Support For Artists

Artisan art studios take a holistic approach to their art as well as their valuable team players that provide it. They do not prioritize money or sales, and so this leaves room for artists to push the boundaries and do experimental work that they would normally be afraid to do. When an artist is free to express themselves, and they are given the right platform, they can create exquisite art pieces. It is for this reason, amongst others, that these art studios are on the rise and why a lot of young people opt to go and work there.

The Workspace

Most artisan art studios are airy and full of light. They also have ample space for the artists to work and move around, plus they share their workspace with other artists. This not only makes them focus, but it also allows the artists to share ideas, a few pointers as well as encouragement.

Apprenticeship

Art is something personal, something that flows through our veins and something that we need to reach deep inside ourselves to get it. It is for this reason that artists can not just take theoretical classes and expect to be masters at their craft. Artists need a firm and guiding hand every step of the journey for them to fully tap into their potential.

A lot of artisan art studios offer apprenticeships to students that work with various art forms such as clay, glass, ceramic, beads, copper wires, sculptures as well as art on canvas. A great example of an apprenticeship that seeks to fully empower artists is the Spier Arts Academy in Cape Town. The apprenticeship program is a long one that lasts up to three years, and some fortunate graduates have been granted 12 months free space in the studio to allow them the get set up and make something of themselves without having to worry about finances. What makes this program truly great is that the graduates not only get involved with mastering their craft, but they also get valuable tips on how to run a business such as invoicing, costing, and establishing long and lucrative partnerships with other artists.

Other Forms of Support for Artists

Other communities around the world also provide support for artisan artists. They understand the value of molding peoples gifts as well as giving them a purpose to live. Some of these support groups might not be as rich as other foundations, but what they lack in money they make up for in love and care.

There are a few community studios that offer artisan art classes to people of all ages as well as different levels of skill. These classes are meant to help people discover their talents and for some to start new and exciting hobbies. These community classes also help those artists that have raw ability but can not afford to go to college or art school. The community studios help to empower those facing financial difficulties by teaching them how to create different forms of artwork to feed the family. These initiatives also help to keep children off the streets and to steer them away from a life of crime. They also help to bring communities together. Most forms of art done in these studios include pottery, sculpting, painting, ceramics, mosaics as well as glass.

Montebello Design Centre

Montebello Design Centre is a hidden gem found in the heart of Cape Town. This center is a true haven for those that love nature as well as authentic things. Montebello Design Centre boasts a restaurant, an organic farm, an artisan studio (which is a huge attraction), a food market, a nursery, and a traditional arts and crafts shop.

The design studios are scattered around Cape Town, and one of the reasons for this is to make them accessible to tourists as well as art lovers. The other reason is that they can cater to a lot more artists this way as the artists will not be limited by location. This design center came about as a result of Cecil Michaelis’s aid. He was well known for his art skills that incorporated ceramics and glass, and he hoped that his love for this trade could be passed on to other eager artists as well as to build upon their entrepreneur skills.

Classes

Montebello Design Centre partners with the University of Cape Town to nurture young and ambitious artists. They work with a wide range of material from ceramic, glass, clay, and canvas paintings. John Bauer, who is renowned in the ceramic circles for his experimental work that pushes the boundary, often holds classes there. These classes are open to people who have pottery and ceramic skills, as well as beginners. Ceramic classes are also held twice a week with Monday being reserved for Grade 6 and 7 and Tuesday for the earlier Grades.

These extramural activities offered to children are a great way to introduce them to art and build and mold their talent at a very tender age. This project also gives the children hope and something to look forward to. Hopefully, with children being empowered so early in their lives, the next generation will not be afflicted by crime and other social vices that seek to destroy the future of youth. They are also taught that the future literally is in their hands, and they can shape it any way they desire.

Exhibitions and Gift Shops

Being a not for profit organization, Montebello Design Centre seeks to create equal opportunities for all aspiring artisan artists by providing them with a great platform to work as well as to showcase their work. Most artists do not yet have either the big name or the funds required to host an exhibition at a regular for-profit gallery.

Spier Artisan Studios

Spier is a winemaking company based in Stellenbosch, South Africa. This company dates back to 1692 and is well known for having one of the oldest wine farms and perhaps some of the best wines in the Western Cape. They are also well known for their love of history, nature, and their promotion of artisan art.

What They Do

Spier has artisan studios in Stellenbosch as well as the famous Cape Town. The artists who work in these studios mostly deal with mosaic ceramics. They often partner up with visual artists to create beautifully crafted pieces. The artisan art studio, which is airy and light-filled, allows the public to interact with the artists as they work. The artisans perform their magic in the studios where the public can see. This process allows the public to be part of the experience and fall in love more with the pieces. When the pieces are completed, they are displayed in the studio for all to see and for those with a good eye for art to buy and add to their collection.

The Spier Artisan Studios are not for profit studios, which means they are more focused on the creation of art as well as to provide upcoming artists with a platform to showcase their work as well as to kick start their careers. Spier put in place a Trust for Art to ensure that aspiring fine arts students get the right support they need to see their career to the next level. The trust generates shared value for art between the artists and the buyers. The trust curates art portfolios and often hosts visual arts projects.

Spier also holds a patronage program for its students. This program is open to students who are considered to be exceptional. Spier believes that this patronage program, which goes on for about four to five years, allow the students to benefit greatly from a supportive patron. Some of the notable people who went through this program are Berco Wilsenach, who is the creator of “The Blind Astronomer,” Liza Grobler, Paul Emmanuel, Wim Botha, and Tamlin Blake.

Artisan Art Studios.

Artisan art is an art that speaks to the body, mind, and soul. It is an art that is pure and opens our eyes to endless possibilities in the world. It is also a way to spread love and hope in times of distress. They say art is subjective, and it speaks to each and everyone differently. For one to be able to create such beautiful pieces of art, it takes years of practice. In the articles to come on this site, we take a closer look at the life of an artisan artist. Check out the following.

Materials Used

Artisan artists work with different materials to create their masterpieces. The process of choosing the right material is not an easy one as there are many phases the artists have to go through. For example, when an artist wants to create a mosaic piece, they first sketch out the piece, and then from there, they decide which materials will work best. Artists work with materials such as clay to create pots and so forth, different types of rocks for sculptures, wires, as well as canvas. Artists often work with different materials in their earlier stages to determine their strong images.

Support for Artists

Artisan studios often have an apprenticeship program to train and mold exceptional students. These apprenticeship programs have a holistic approach and focus on more aspects than just the creation of artwork. They help the artists develop the necessary skills needed to run a successful business.

Where to Get Their Art

Artisan artists are provided with a great platform to showcase their art. The studios often have exhibitions where artists portfolios are put up for all to see. The studios also have shops close to the studio where all the finished products are displayed and made available for purchase by the general public.