Stapleton Art Studio gives kids the space to create without limits
When Adriana Saurini’s daughter complained about the lack of options for art instruction Stapleton, it gave Adriana a big idea. As Stapleton’s favorite face painter, Adriana was already using her artistic talents to delight neighborhood children. Why not take things to the next level, she pondered?
“I thought if my daughter wanted an art class maybe others did too. I got on one of the neighborhood Facebook pages and asked if anyone was looking for art classes for their children,” she said. “The response was overwhelming, so I decided to do something about it.”
Adriana first set up shop in a small classroom at Stapleton Fellowship Church, providing after school art lessons a few times a week. Then, she began offering preschool art classes out of her own living room.
“We had to get new floors after that,” she joked. “As demand grew, I started playing around with the idea of opening up a real art studio. I wanted to create a space where parents could bring their toddlers to and not worry about the mess and they could bond with their children. Things just started falling into place from there.
In March 2018, she leased a large warehouse in primarily industrial area on Havana Street, on the outskirts of Stapleton. Her husband, a contractor, created a large, colorful art studio.
“It was just dirty bones when we leased it, but we cleaned it up together,” Adriana said. “I would get a crazy idea and he would make it happen!”
Neighborhood Art Studio officially opened in April 2018. Adriana teamed up with fellow Stapleton mom and former DPS teacher, Chantal Vogel, who serves as a creative planning project manager. Having her own studio has allowed Adriana is expand her offerings to the community.
The bright open space serves as a “blank canvas” for young artists to create. Currently, the studio holds art classes for a range of ages (walkers to 12 years old), school days off and summer camps, birthday parties, and even parents’ night out night/weekend workshops.
Art has always been a central part of Adriana’s life. Born in Slovakia, she grew up in a creative family and went to a school that focused on the arts. For her, art has always been an escape and that is exactly what she hopes to provide to her students.
“We want to not only provide instruction but inspire kids with an idea and see where they take it,” she says. “I love owning a business where everyone leaves with a smile.”
The studio has been so successful, Adriana has added three art teachers to round out the type of art she teaches. In May, students will showcase their work in an art show open to the community.
To find out more about Neighborhood Art Studio and class, workshop and camp schedules, visit https://neighborhoodartstudio.com. The studio always offers a free trail class (exclusions apply) for those who want to check things out.
DEAL ALERT: Receive 10% off any summer camp registration. With code StapletonScoop. Limit one per child.
