BAYarts Offering Art Therapy Classes for Adults, Kids

The BAYarts campus isn’t quite hidden from Lake Road in Bay Village, but those who have never made a right turn into the portion of Huntington Park that isn’t on the lake side, might get quite a surprise.

“We call this a campus,” seven-year art instructor and Education Director Erin Stack, an Avon Lake resident and one of the organizers behind the said.

The campus includes several historic buildings, including the Irene Fuller House--which was famously moved from its location in east Bay Village to its current Lake Road location via barge on Lake Erie--and the BAYarts Gallery House.

And while the campus is home to galleries and classrooms, including a ceramics studio, and features more that 100 artists, it will take on a new venture this fall in the form of art therapy for children and adults.

“The adult class is more healing art,” Stack said, saying art therapy provides a different outlet. “It might be for emotional issues, loss, divorce or illness.”

Under the guidance of a credentialed art therapist, adult students will explore a variety of media, socialize and create unique forms of personal expression.

The 10-session adult class, which runs from Sept. 12 – Nov. 21 from 6:30 – 8 p.m. is appropriate for teens through adults.

For children, ages preschool through 12 or 13, art therapy will be conducted in a smaller setting of six children. Each child must have a caretaker with them.

It’s something Stack has been considering for awhile.

“I always wanted to do art therapy here,” she said.

The children’s class is geared more toward special needs students, such as those with Downs Syndrome, autism or ones with high functioning disabilities.

"We'll help each child discover his o her unique cretivity and develop a personal form of expression," a course desciption says.

The 10-week class runs the same dates as the adult class, at 4 p.m., with no class on Halloween.

The children’s class is also led by a credentialed art therapist and will focus on all of the senses and promote sensory integration.

No art experience is needed for either class.

Stack said the center draws in students from all over the west side of Cleveland.

“We also have kids from Avon, Avon Lake, Westlake and Lakewood,” Stack said.

The art therapy program is a joint venture with Cleveland’s Art Therapy Studio. 

Classes will be held in both buildings and are limited in size. Registration is required by Sept. 5. Cost is $125 per student. For more information contact erin@bayarts.net.

BAYarts is a non-profit organization. Executive Director Nancy Heaton said the center generates earned income through classes and its consignment shop and gallery, that features more than 100 artists. The campus is located at 28795 Lake Road across from Huntington beach.