Executive Director's Welcome
A time for reflection in our busy lives
Each day, students big and little stream into the Brookline Arts Center for an art class. As I walk through our studios, I see them concentrating hard and learning how to focus their ideas into beautiful creations. They are working so hard...but the sound I hear most is laughter!
Now that I have taken some classes at the Brookline Arts Center - I have tried oil painting, knitting and sculpture and am planning to study drawing, ceramics, jewelry and more painting - I can see why.
The welcoming atmosphere of our classes makes it easy and fun to start learning something new. Though I have always enjoyed looking at beautiful art, this is the first time I have tried to make art myself. In the Brookline Arts Center classes, I felt really encouraged by my talented teachers, who got me started and helped me improve. At the end of each art class, I walked out feeling relaxed, confident and full of energy.
I see the same combination of focus and energy among the children who are in Arts Center classes during my office hours. In class, they find the time to develop their own ideas, with the help, knowledge and encouragement of their teachers. The two hours of quiet time encourage work and reflection, and ultimately, help their emotional and intellectual development. At the end of class, they have time to chat with the other students and their teacher about their new ideas. Over the course of their class, our studios become a place of relaxation and inspiration.
The skills of focus, creative thinking, and communication will be invaluable for our children in the information economy, where new ideas and teamwork are essential. However, the benefits of art class are more immediate, too - each class and educational event at the Brookline Arts Center reminds us how energizing it is to have fun learning something new.
Susan Navarre,
Executive Director
P.S. If you are a current Brookline Arts Center students, I would llike to have your IDEAS AND OPINIONS! Please download this class evaluation form and give me your feedback on your class experience. Print a Class Evaluation Form in PDF format