Greetings, Bloomers!
Well, another year is about to end, and a new one
is about to begin. It's a time when
everyone is reflecting on the past while thinking about new resolutions for the
future—time to review and change.
Here at Bloom Studio, we're no different. As Bloom’s
owner and creative director, I thought I would share some of my thoughts with
you.
2018
Thanks to you, 2018 was a wonderful year. I'm so proud of what we’ve accomplished. Here
are some highlights:
§86 groups had wine and canvas
parties. Many who came rekindled their love of painting, or found a new joy in
art. Almost all enjoyed friendship and
the joy of accomplishing something with people they cared about. I hope you were one of them.
§
We had 39 children's parties with 285 children, many of whom experienced painting in a positive and encouraging
surrounding for the first time.
§
During our 23 young people's classes,
we helped fill a significant gap in many children's lives that resulted from attending
a school where art programs have been cut substantially.
§
We helped 37 girl scouts
achieve a merit badge in art.
§
Our drop in classes have been growing
after a slow start.
§
Our outreach program has brought
painting right to the location of older and mentally challenged citizens. Without Bloom, they might not have had a
chance to experience the benefits that art provides.
On a personal note, I love that Bloom is a beacon
for personal creativity in the Mokena area.
I believe that expressing yourself through art is so important from the
time we are little all through adulthood.
Art has a way of filling in the gaps of stress and discontent with joy
and satisfaction.
In my Sophomore year
of high school, I was inspired by an art teacher who was encouraging,
supportive and made art fun. He helped
plant a seed in my soul that has continued to grow till this day. I will
never forget him, and to my delight, we still keep in touch!
I believe in paying it forward. It gives me a
deep sense of satisfaction when I see people go from apprehensive about their
art ability to thoroughly excited from the surprise that they really are able to create a
work of art after one of our painting sessions. It's a lot of work running an
art studio, and if it wasn't for the little moments of joy I see in others, I probably
wouldn't do it. If you were one of the folks that were a part of our 2018, I hope
that you remain excited about self-expression and continue to find joy in art
and through painting!
2019
What's to come in the New Year? Of course, we'll continue to do the things
that work, like:
§
Offer deep discounts to children's
groups, like Scouts, 4-H and church organizations. I feel it's important for kids to bloom
through art from an early age and keep that joyful approach before the world
tries to turn them cynical.
§
For this same reason, we are planning
to increase the number of our children's classes. As art is slowly excised from
the school curriculum, parents need an alternative where they can make sure
that this important area of development isn't neglected.
§
We're hoping to make Bloom an even
better experience and reach more people by offering Open Paint Nights once a
week and other specialty classes that involve other mediums besides acrylic
painting.
§
We are continuing to look for talented
instructors. I can only do so much, and
the need is so great! If you know of anyone who is talented, has a love for
painting, and is looking for an opportunity to share that love, please let us
know!
§
Most of our patrons are female. I'd
like to see more boys and men involved since I believe they too could benefit
so much from art. We're going to introduce some fun themes for guys that will
hopefully encourage them to give art a try!
In the beginning, Bloom targeted mostly people who
were novices at art. In the coming year,
we plan on offering some more in depth painting classes teaching more
technique. These will be geared for more
experienced painters. We intend to add
an additional gallery of more advanced paintings that will be aimed at more
seasoned painters.
Suggestions
Of course, we can’t think of everything. That is why we’re hoping if there is a class or
art medium you would like to explore that Bloom doesn’t offer, please drop us an
email and suggest it to us. This is how
we grow and learn about the wants and needs of the community.
We hope that 2018 was a great year for you, and
that you were able to BLOOM in every sense.
May you have an even better 2019, filled with good health, love and lots
of art making. Continue to unfurl and grow!
--Emily
--Emily
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