LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — A multi-year grant totaling $450,000 from Windgate Foundation looks to expose more Arkansans to the world of art. The Arkansas Museum of Fine Art's (AMFA) Windgate Art School will now offer classes and programs for free or at a reduced price.
David Warren, 2D Chair at the Windgate Art School, said they are trying to increase exposure and access to the AMFA after the museum and school reopened over a year ago.
“We’re the same, but we’re different. We've expanded. We have these brand new studios. So it's an amazing opportunity for the community to be able to come in here and see things like the metal studio that we're in right now, which is just state of the art, of what they're able to do in here," Warren described.
There’s something for everyone— including glass, ceramics, painting, drawing, and printmaking studios, as well as youth programs and a performance area.
One of those reduced-price courses will be taught by a previous student who's now a part of the metalsmithing faculty, Myriam Saavedra.
She said her goal is to have fun but also help people gain an understanding of the arts.
“If they never decide to do any metalsmithing or any type of craft again, just to really have, like a new respect for when they go out and see things that are handmade and realize all of the work that does go into it. So I think that's just kind of a balance of knowing I can have fun and do things just for myself," Saavedra said.
Along with the 450k Windgate Foundation grant, the art school also received a monetary from a former student, Michael Laughter.
Altogether it will reduce pricing by an average of 17% for more than 100 classes for the upcoming fall and winter terms, but also the lump sum of money will help fund several free classes happening now including Creative Saturdays, Artist Talk, and even Wednesday spins.
There are longer-ranging classes available for artists in the community as well as workshops for beginners who may want to learn on a shorter commitment.
To learn more about the Windgate Art School and the courses and activities happening, click here.