Studio 8 Ten artists create a fairytale birthday for local family
After hearing several Las Vegas mama’s cries for help finding new places to have their child’s birthday parties, Transition Services Project Manager, Angela Esler-Whelan, replied with “Why not Studio 8 Ten?”. Knowing several of the individual artists who attend the programs have expressed interest in working with kids, it seemed like the perfect equation…one amazing venue, plus tons of crafty talent and workers who are always willing to rise to a challenge (even if it means working on a Saturday!) could equal an unforgettable day for a local 4-year-old and her family.
Using mostly recycled materials, under the direction of staff designer & artist Stephanie Martinez, a castle, along with princess, knight, and dragon costumes were created as blank palettes for the kids to decorate. As the three Studio 8 Ten artists who agreed to give up their Saturday afternoons, Megan, Karen, and John arrived, they got a new perspective on the bustling place they come to work everyday…a quiet, calm place…for a short time.
Megan commented as she worked on the last minute details of creating princess gowns out of pillowcases, “Why would someone want to have a birthday party here when they could go to Chuck E. Cheese?”. As the family and party guests arrived and the children dug into paint, brushes, and their own imaginations, her questions soon changed to a very excited “why would anyone go to Chuck E. Cheese when they could come here?” Good question, soon to be answered by the children and their families with “they wouldn’t”, and “this was the best birthday party we have ever been to!” One mom shared that her sons go to most birthday parties interested the entire time only in the birthday cake. At their Studio 8 Ten painting party, they didn’t even eat cake, they were too busy dressing up in freshly painted knight costumes, and warding off friends dressed in their self-decorated dragon suits.
“None of us knew what to expect, this was an experimental thing we did to try something new that would bring the community into the studio…we only new that it would be an experience we did not want these families to forget,” said Angela. Because of the unknown nature of the event and the children, ranging from age 4 to age 9, each person working was left working pretty much independently to make sure water was changed, brushes were cleaned, and the needs of the guests were happily met. The 3 individual workers rose to the occasion with flying colors, did whatever needed to be done, and ensured everyone had a great time with little to no direction from staff. Everyone was beaming with pride as they said good-bye to the kids and cleaned up the aftermath.
Since April, the studio has been open on Saturdays, hosting a range of classes, workshops, and events like the Birthday Party and, of course, for shopping in the gift store.
- Each first Saturday of the month is a children’s art class.
- Second Saturday is an adult art class, both taught by professional local artist Elizabeth Young.
- Third Saturday is an all-ages beginner’s scrapbooking workshop hosted by local crafter Jessica Zygmont.
- 4th Saturday changes depending on the demand for the space.
New classes, such as yoga, jewelry making, and knitting are in the works to be added in the future. For a complete listing of classes and events, visit Studio 8 Ten and pick up a schedule, or call 644-9418 for more details.
Got an event you’d like to hold at Studio 8 Ten? Contact Studio 8 Ten for availability and rates.
Hopefully more people can learn from this post what I have. A great contribution to the world at large.
Hi, just wondering if you offer guest posting positions? Great post though!