Ribbon Cutting Marks Opening of Chelsea Art Center Classroom

The Chelsea Center for the Arts unveiled a new visual art classroom this week as part of a recently completed $30,000 renovation project.

Funded by a grant from the Worthington Family Foundation, the original garage structure of the CCA building has been fully renovated for use as a year-round visual art classroom, with all new utilities, plumbing, lighting, doors, windows, and surfaces.

The new classroom will be most useful for instruction in ceramics, metals/jewelry, sculpture, and other mediums requiring large or specialized equipment. It is outfitted with new Shimpo VL-Whisper pottery wheels, also funded by the Worthington Family Foundation.

In the winter 2013 term, this new classroom will be used for ceramic classes with instructor Kristine Haddox for teens and adults wanting to learn to create functional ware and sculptures. Sarah Banas will teach Youth Ceramics for children in third through ninth grades. Open ceramics studio hours for older teens and adults with prior ceramics experience will also be available.

The addition of this classroom allows the CCA to serve a greater number of students with a wider variety of visual art offerings, Lisa Baylis Gonzalez, CCA executive director said.

"I am really pleased with the way this space turned out. We look forward to welcoming adults and youths to throw a pot, make jewelry, create a glass mosaic, and for other classes," she said. "You don't need to be super knowledgeable or serious; we will teach you here, while you enjoy working with clay and other materials."

The new classroom will be in full use beginning Jan. 23 for ceramics classes. Beginning Jan. 26, CCA ceramics students or those with previous ceramics experience can enroll for open studio time for a fee of $40 for 10 hours of studio time.

Visit www.chelseacenterforthearts.org to learn more about other CCA visual art and music programs, including exhibitions, performances and special events.