Creative Masterpieces owner Katherine Gabriel prepares to mix paint during her summer camp program Tuesday. Gabriel opened her art studio July 16 at 147 Central Park Square. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
The retail portion of Creative Masterpieces, which opened July 16 at 147 Central Park Square. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
Maybe it is due to the crisp, white walls, the neutral-colored, minimalist furnishings or the pleasant pop of rainbow colors in the paintings and art supplies that line shelves and cabinets but Creative Masterpieces, 147 Central Park Square, makes everything created within the studio look like a work of art.
In fact, that was owner Katherine Gabriel’s reason for opening the art studio on July 10.
She explained that she named her new business Creative Masterpieces to encourage the elementary-age children who attend either the summer art camps or daily after school art programs, to create their own masterpieces.
It is only about having fun and maybe making some messes, but also children can make friends and build skills, Gabriel said. There is also an education component.
“There’s definitely an essence … that will be academic,” she said. “You can make a mess but more than that (you learn) that education is fun. Learning is amazing.”
Gabriel brings her background as an educator to the table. Before moving with her family to Los Alamos, where her husband works at the laboratory, Gabriel taught for 10 years in California. She worked as an elementary school teacher as well as a middle school and high school history teacher. Her husband, Chris, moved to Los Alamos at the end of March. Gabriel and their children arrived June 14.
When she and her family arrived in Los Alamos, Gabriel said she decided to try something new while also returning to the classroom to teach sixth grade.
Her new business venture allows her to spend time with her two young children as well as other young aspiring artists.
“This place is a gift to them, at least I hope it is,” Gabriel said.
She said when formulating her business she wondered, “what does Los Alamos need, how can we bring children up in a holistic way.”
With extracurricular classes like art or physical education disappearing from the country’s public schools, Gabriel said it is important to continue providing these types of activities to children.
“I am so lucky that I get to do something that makes little kids happy,” she said.
Gabriel explained that art education helps build self-esteem, confidence and make children’s identities clearer. Plus, COVID-19 had a significant effect on children’s socialization and her studio allows young children to meet each other and make new friends.
Gabriel is offering a summer camp program, but once school begins Aug. 7, she will offer an after-school program daily, including Saturdays. She said she plans to hire an employee to help her out.
Classes include using acrylics, watercolors, pastels and charcoal, she said, adding that a lot of mixed media is utilized. For instance, inspired by Henri Rousseau’s paintings of forests, she had her students paint their own forests and glue cut-out pictures of leaves to their paintings. During the course of the program, children generally make two art projects, which they can take home.
Her target audience is children 5 to 12 years old. She initially offered classes for preschool students but is phasing that out in favor of offering more retail options. Gabriel sells a wide range of kid-friendly art supplies. The support she has received from the community has been very validating; Gabriel said it just reinforces that she is doing something that is of value to the community.
“I love that I had this idea and the kids are happy here,” she said.
Gabriel’s summer art camps are running now through July 31. She will be offering daily art programs, including on Saturdays. A grand opening party will be held Aug. 10.
For more information on the classes or to register, visit https://www.creativemasterpieces.art/.
A young artist selects materials to begin her art project during the summer art camp program Tuesday at Creative Masterpieces at 147 Central Park Square. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
