Megan Bonney, Jennie Harvey, Abby Halasi Kun, Emma Foyle and Abriana Wiggs work diligently at the new Piece of My Art studio location at 16 Union Avenue. (Photo submitted)
WESTFIELD – Westfield residents may have noticed the big, colorful painting palette and brush hanging from Pilgrim Candle’s second floor porch at 16 Union Avenue. The brush was made from a mop since a brush big enough couldn’t be found for the palette.
Jennifer Dorgan opened Piece of My Art Studio in August of 2004 in a small space on Main Street in Westfield. Since then, she’s twice moved and expanded her teaching studio for ages four to adult, now landing in the biggest space thus far at Pilgrim Candle.
The studio quietly resumed classes as of September 3.
Dorgan is a community artist. She has painted several fiberglass statues for surrounding municipalities that have been auctioned off for charity. Her work can be seen at the Delaney House and Log Cabin in Holyoke, and at Leo’s Gallery Deli and Pilgrim Candle in Westfield.
Her most recent piece was a 7-foot high fiberglass Sea Turtle painted for Breast Cancer Awareness to be displayed among a sea of other painted turtles, all done by local artists, in Panama City, Florida. Using her work for the good of others is highly important to Dorgan and is a lesson she hopes is modeled to her students through her own painting.
“Always keep practicing, to get more and more skilled, so that your work will be valuable to raise money, or to heal people who are wounded emotionally, or to just make someone happy,” she tells them. “Practice and perfect your skills as much as you can! Well done art is a powerful tool!”
The new, bigger studio now boasts a fully equipped sewing studio run by Jennipher McCabe’ a Parson’s graduate, a gifted seamstress and teacher with over 25 years of experience. McCabe has four state-of-the-art sewing machines and has a broad offering of classes for ages eight and up. Her night classes are attracting teens and adults.
In addition to painting, drawing, and sewing classes, the studio is offering sculpting classes, jewelry making, and a variety of craft classes, all being held on school vacations, on ‘no school’ days, and on half days of school. The studio is also available for parties and adult food, wine, and paint parties are also in the works.
On Friday, November 1, visitors can celebrate Westfield’s hidden gem for art instruction during Piece of My Art Studio’s Open House and Student Art Show. Kids will be demonstrating their skills, showing work they’ve done. Refreshments will be provided, as will complimentary 3D glasses (for all paid sign ups) and a chance to paint a small 3D painting.
“Come see Westfield’s funnest art studio,” recommends Dorgan. “Start a new stress-relieving hobby, and add to the resources you have for yourself and the kids in your life!”
All schedules can be found at: www.pomartstudio.com or call the studio directly at 413 562-1078.
