Finding the Artist in Everyone at Basso Art Studio

Last spring, while walking through town, I noticed a sign go up outside of Oxford Hall Celtic shop.  The sign read 'Basso Art Studio.'  Nearby, I saw a box hanging off of a railing.  The box contained class schedules for a brand new art studio and school being started up by Laura Basso.  I'm always looking for activities for my kids.  My family loves art and being creative, so I looked over the schedule to see if anything fit our hectic schedule.  Sure enough, there was a class for my kids.  The kids loved it and they looked forward to going each week.  My goal was to try to expand their artistic range a little.  They are obsessed with drawing anime/manga, a Japanese style of animation.  The class, and the teacher, broadened their artistic horizons and allowed them to share their interest in anime.  When our schedules allow, I know we'll be going back to Basso Art Studio for more classes. 

The Entrance to Basso Art Studio is down the stairs.

Basso Art Studio, founded just last year, is tucked away underneath the Oxford Hall Celtic Shop, in the business district of  New Cumberland.  The proprietor is Laura Basso, and after years of working for others, she decided to establish her own studio.  Laura grew up right here in New Cumberland and now lives nearby, in Etters.  She has been studying, working, and teaching the arts most of her life.  She has a degree in Fine Arts from Kutztown University and has exhibited her work in venues throughout the mid state, including Whitaker Center, Mechanicsburg Art Center, New Cumberland Library and more.

Laura Basso didn't start out with the intention of being an art teacher.  That came about through her wanting to be involved in her kid's school.  West Shore School District used to have a program called the "Famous Artists Program," where parent volunteers would go into classrooms and present lessons about popular artists and their works.  Laura thought that was right up her alley and ended up spending 8 years with the program.  Through her volunteerism, she found out that she enjoyed sharing her love of art with others.  From there, she took up teaching art classes at a local gallery.  Last May, she branched out and opened her own studio and school.  She says her young business is growing and thinks being on Bridge Street helps bring in a lot of people.  She says, "I moved here and got so much support from the community."

Laura Basso in her studio.

Starting any kind of business can be difficult, but Laura tells me she's making it work.  "I just love it so much and get such a positive feedback from the kids, and the parents, that I just keep doing it. It's fun, I'm lucky."

Laura's words say it all when she talks about the children's classes, "I have just a positive response.  Lots of smiles, it's like magic.  Everything clicks and I see the light bulbs go on in their heads."

She adds, "It gets the kids to use creative problem solving skills, which is beneficial in any subject, just for lifelong skills, or any career you go in to."

Laura offers classes for adults, too.  The classes are open to any skill level.  She tells me she gets a lot of people with little experience or who haven't done anything in a while, but those students are often her favorites.  She teaches most of the classes herself, but recently added Shannon Kelley, who focuses on preschool art, and Donna Kovalchick, who teaches photography.   She says, "I think it's inside all of us.  It doesn't matter if you can't draw or have no experience, you can still find that creativity in you just for life fulfillment and enjoyment."

Kids and adults can get creative at Basso Art Studio.

March is 'National Youth Art Month,' and Laura has activities planned to get more kids interested in art.  Youth Art Month is observed  each March to stress the value of art and art education for all children.  The studio will be hosting a Youth Art Exhibit all month.  To kick it off, Laura will host a reception at the studio on March 10th, from 1 pm - 4 pm.  On that day, kids and families are welcome to go into the studio and try their hands at creating their own art.  Laura will have art supplies available for the kids to use, and when they are finished, they can take their masterpieces home with them.  The event is free and open to the public.  The studio's class schedule will be available at that time.  Refreshments will be available.  In addition to the open house, the Children's Art Exhibit will be available for viewing March 17th, 24th & 31st.  But, if your kids want to be creative, make sure they get there on the 10th, that's the only day she'll have the supplies out for them to use.  To see the National Art Month flyer for Basso Art Studio, click here for the Youth Art Month Flyer.

Create a picture of a yummy treat!

Classes and lessons are available for both children and adults.  Classes offered include; preschool art, multimedia art, teen drawing, pastel and much more.  Laura offers painting parties, a scout merit badge program, home schooling classes and private art lessons.  Laura tries to think outside of the box and come up with unique classes for her students.  A friend of hers gave her the idea to have a class where students purchase a dessert from Dingeldein Bakery, (which is just across Bridge Street from the studio), then bring the dessert to the studio where they will create a picture of it.  When finished, the students get to enjoy their desserts along with some complimentary tea from the Oxford Hall Celtic Shop.  You get to be creative and enjoy a wonderful dessert, what could be better!

Basso Art Studio is located in downtown New Cumberland at 315B Bridge Street, just below the Oxford Hall Celtic Shop.  For more information about Laura and Basso Art Studio, please go to http://www.bassoartstudio.com/.

For more information about Youth Art Month, go to
http://acminet.org/youth_art_month.htm

Links to other businesses mentioned in this blog:
http://www.oxfordhall.com/mysitecaddy/site3/