By Kristen Berthiaume:
Birmingham is about to get a little greener (and redder, bluer, oranger – just all the colors). In 2011, Shannon Hopkins’ former store and studio, My Green Birmingham, was irreparably damaged by the April 27th tornadoes and she had to shut down. But, as we near the third anniversary of that tragic event, the whole concept is getting upcycled! Shannon’s new instructional art studio – “Art on the Gogh” – will incorporate environmentally friendly practices like reusing fabric and other items that would otherwise be discarded to make amazing textiles, crafts, art, and home décor items – DIY projects you’ll actually want to keep.
Art on the Gogh, located next door to Utopia Cleaners in Cahaba Heights, is staffed by artists and instructors with a passion for helping you develop your creativity and learn fun techniques for using what you already have in art. The studio will hold camps for kids of all ages (including Parents’ Nights Out – Yah, free time!), and classes and parties for kids and adults. Also, the “Gogh” in “Art on the Gogh” has a double-meaning. Yes, for Vincent van Gogh but also because projects are mobile and can be completed in your location for private classes and parties!
I got the chance to take my four- and seven-year-olds to Art on the Gogh for a sample lesson with Shannon. The kids were really excited at the prospect of designing their own t-shirts and a lot of effort went in to picking out just the right designs and fabrics. Fortunately, Shannon is a patient lady. My son went with a rocket ship and my daughter with an Easter basket. Kids can cut out their own fabric objects for applique freehand or by tracing the shapes first. Or, for more reticent lit
tle ones like my son, instructors do that part so the kids can focus on putting the pieces together on the shirt. Appliques are sewn on and the completed project is ready for pick-up in about a week. The (almost) end result? (Note: ours haven’t been sewn on yet in the pics). See for yourself here!
A lot of fun and self-made shirts they can actually wear out of the house! (Remember those puffy paint disasters from our childhoods? This is not that).
While there, I got to see lots of samples of the kinds of projects the studio will offer. Have a million things pinned on Pinterest but nothing actually Pinterest-ed? The studio will offer women’s Pinterest Parties where you can grab some friends and complete a project (like, actually complete it) for a fraction of the cost of buying retail. Plus, you can BYOB! Speaking of Pinterest, if your older daughter pins a lot of cute, upcycled jean cutoffs, she’ll definitely want to check out one of their “Green” Jean Events! Other cute projects include beach towels, tote bags, hair clips, and headbands. Too many ideas to list them all here!
Want to know more about the offerings at Art on the Gogh? Check out their calendar here.
A couple of highlights:
Thursday, March 20, 6:00 – 8:00 – Moms’ Night Out with Featured artist Kathy Dyleski. Learn to paint Angels on Wood (absolutely beautiful!). $65.00. BYOB!
Friday, March 21, 6:00 – 8:00 – Parents’ Night Out! Go on a date while the kiddos hang out at the studio for Pizza and PJs. They’ll watch “Frozen” and create a snow globe (which will make you a very popular momma!) $30.00.
Spring Break Mini Camp – Monday, March 24th & Tuesday, March 25th from 9:30 – 12:00. Snack provided. Kids will learn textile arts on Monday and have a Painting party Tuesday! Ages 6-12. $75.00.
Want to get in on any of this? Call soon – spots will go quickly! Art on the Gogh is located at 3921 Cahaba Heights Road. You can also find them on Facebook or on the web at their blog or marketplace.
Need more information? Give them a call at 205-671-8ART.
