By Diane Dobry
COBLESKILL — On a recent walk on Main Street in Cobleskill, I stopped to admire multi-colored ceramic pumpkins and gourds displayed in the window of The Studio for Art and Craft. Stepping inside to find out more, the artist inside of me was instantly inspired by what I saw.
Shelves and displays of painted stoneware serving dishes, cups and mugs, along with Autumn- and Halloween-themed candy bowls surrounded me, in addition to the pumpkin and gourd-shaped pottery. Decorative paintable ceramic pieces with an electric light included, come in options from a haunted tree, mummies and skulls, to witches and jack-o-lanterns. Further back in the store were traditional ceramic Christmas trees in five different sizes (the same kind my mother made for our home and for relatives back in the 1970s) dotted with colorful lights just waiting for someone to give them a traditional OR unusual color scheme. However, owner Jackie Kaiser says it’s a step up from the paint from their childhood days, because today there are lasers that allow a customer to “get the most amazing colors and shine.”
Other Christmas-themed pieces like churches, sleds, and a variety of ornaments are ready for the upcoming holiday season. Beyond the pottery and ceramics, there were stained glass and fused glass items on display, as well as blown glass ornaments.
“Blown glass ornaments are very popular,” Kaiser said. “A lot of times people will even book us to do something over the holidays or at Thanksgiving with their family; they may all come into the studio for something to do on Friday [after the holiday].”
Fused glass items like cheese trays or trivets, necklaces, or full sets of matching cups are popular as gifts.
As I looked for someone on staff to chat with about the options The Studio offers, I wandered into the back room where two women were overseeing a group of young children painting quietly—deeply engaged in creating their art as part of a summer camp experience. That’s when I realized this might be the kind of place where someone like me—a former art major— could reconnect with my creative side.
Pam, a helpful staff member, showed me the variety of crafts available at the 18-year-old shop and told me about classes held on-site or at nearby breweries and restaurants. Kaiser pointed out the range of creative options for both group and individual sessions that allow everything from guided instruction to open-ended exploration, achievable at various skill levels.
It is not just a place for kids, nor one just for adults. When kids go back to school, the shop features Kids Night Out where they can create a dish from clay, and paint it according to their own personal style. The Homeschool Art Club for those educated at home, is a 6-week program allowing young people to become familiar with a variety of art media from basic clay skills and the pottery wheel, or unusual glazing techniques, to working with glass, and mosaics.
The Studio doesn’t leave out college-level artists. College nights offering Downtown Dollar payment options, are scheduled between 4 and 9 p.m. with a selection of special $10 pieces for their projects.
Sometimes The Studio takes art projects on the road to breweries, restaurants, and venues like Kirkland Art Center for Paint-and-Sip parties, where clients can create art and enjoy snacks and drinks in a family-friendly environment. But, if customers are looking to create their own party at home, fundraisers, or team building events, The Studio for Art and Craft is happy to work in different locations—at an office, a private venue, and more. Some local libraries have also featured The Studio’s creative activities.
“If we come to your house, it’s going to be a specific genre or project,” Kaiser explained. Whereas, in The Studio, itself, there are all kinds of options to choose from.
Stained glass is becoming very popular, as well, Kaiser said. “We just finished our pumpkin design, and when it comes to Christmas, we have just finished designing a bunch of stained-glass ornaments that even people who have no experience in this technique can complete.”
There are even painting lessons offered, taught by a skilled watercolor artist who comes up from New York City about twice a year. All the supplies are included in the cost of the class.
Need some encouragement to give it a shot? Nineteenth century sculptor and printmaker Eric Gill once said, “The artist is not a different kind of person, but every person is a different kind of artist.” For anyone with an inclination to let their inner artist out, The Studio for Art and Craft in Cobleskill provides just the place to be your most creative self.
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