Cove Art Lab ofers classes, painting parties for all ages
.By LYNETTE SOWELL
Cove Leader-Press
The small cottage located in the parking lot of John's Java House on the corner of Business 190 and Teinert Ave. is now the home of Cove Art Lab, newly reopened as of November 10. For artist and homeschool mother Mindy Desmond, opening the Cove Art Lab is a way to earn extra income for her family and also expose children and adults to a variety of artistic media in a relaxed atmosphere.
Art has come full circle for her, after earning her associates, joining the military, meeting her husband and getting married, then raising a family and picking up her paints again, this time to teach her children.
“I took a lot of art classes in college, and I've been teaching art through the homeschool co-ops for a couple of years,” Desmond said. A friend in the homeschool co-op had an art school and studio at the Cove Art Lab's location, but her husband received orders and they were preparing ot move.
“I mentioned to her I wanted some extra income and I was going to start taking extra students into the house, and I wanted to give her a heads-up because she had a similar business in town,” Desmond said. The timing was perfect, with her friend wanting someone to take over the studio.
“We do everything. It's one of the reasons we call it the Art Lab because it's about experimenting with all the different media. The first week we opened, the kids used acrylics and tape, and they used credit cards to make swipes and different things in the paint. This week we used oil pastels; next week they're using watercolors. So it's really to introduce kids to all the different media. Every week is something different.”
Desmond stressed that anyone can attend the art lab and it's open to the entire community.
Desmond said at the Cove Art Lab from now until the end of the year, the price of children's art classes is $10 per child on a drop-in basis, so families can try out a class. Come January, the lab will start monthly tuition of $60 for older children's classes for ages 5 and up, with the charge for siblings $40 per month and classes for 3-6 being $40.
Classes during the week are on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, with a class for ages 5-10 on Tuesday from 4:00 until 5:30 p.m., Wednesday class for ages 3-6 from 10:00 -11:30 a.m. and Thursday for ages 10 and up, from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. Class sizes are limited to 10.
The Cove Art Lab is open for adults on the first and third Saturday evening of the month and are $30, with supplies included. The class starts at 5 p.m. and is usually limited to six to eight adults on site.
This weekend, Desmond is holding what she calls family time classes, where for $15 per person, each member of the family age six and up can work on their own painting. This class, creating a penguin painting, starts 10 a.m. Friday and 10 a.m. Saturday and last approximately 90 minutes, or until everyone is finished.
Other upcoming events include adult painting nights tomorrow at 5 p.m., and December 5 and December 18 at 5 p.m. Desmond said she lets people paint until they're finished and won't rush anyone, unlike some places which offer painting parties but set a time limit.
For larger parties, Desmond is willing to come to another location.
“I'm going to do a birthday party for someone who'll have 20 kids,” Desmond said. “I bring paint, easels, supplies, drop cloths, table covers and do the class.”
The lab's public art events at the studio are alcohol free. However, Desmond said those who'd like to set up a private party for four or more people either at her studio or even someone's home, the beverage choice is entirely up to the one hosting the party.
For a listing of Cove Art Lab's upcoming classes and public art socials, Desmond invites those who are interested to visit Cove Art Lab on Facebook and check out the "events" tab at facebook.com/Cove-Art-Lab-1654373008149538. She does ask for an RSVP so she can have enough supplies on hand. Desmond can also be reached at coveartlab@yahoo.com and by calling and leaving a message at 254-368-3772.