With ACMEStudio, art is universal.
ACMEStudio is a mobile art studio that offers art instruction to all ages. Its events are aimed at giving people a broader understanding of different art techniques, largely through folk art camps, which introduce children to different cultures and stages of history through art.
Most programs are free, except summer art camps, which are a little more than $1 an hour.
"Because we're all volunteers there's no overhead, and we get a lot of supplies donated so we can offer it to the public at a low cost," said Sharon Harrington, founder and director of ACMEStudio.
Launched in Tucson in 1993, ACMEStudio began as an art program for families with special-needs children, who were encouraged to learn and experience art at their own pace. In 2000, the 12 founders moved the program to Marana and named it ACMEStudio. ACME stands for artisans, crafters, masters and educators.
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The nonprofit "just wants to be available to the community to promote the arts one way or another," Harrington said.
ACMEStudio recently restarted its Hang Out Studio, an after-school program where children make their own art. The program ran for three years at a Marana Parks and Recreation annex site until it closed last year.
Since late January, it has been held from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays in one of the community rooms at the Marana Health Center, 13395 N. Marana Main St. Harrington hopes the program gains in popularity.
"I think this is the best place for kids to explore the arts that they have already learned in a non-restrictive environment where nobody is telling them what to create or how to create it. That's what the hangout is," Harrington said.
Aside from the hangout, ACMEStudio is actively involved in the community. Harrington leads a workshop for Alzheimer's patients at an assisted-living center. It's also involved in lots of Marana town activities, such as its annual tree-lighting ceremony and its founder's day celebration.
"If there is a town event coming up, we're going to be there," Harrington said.
Because the program is nonprofit, it relies heavily on community donations and recycled material to be used as art supplies. ACMEStudio raises money through its Marana Bazaar from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the second Saturday of every month at Sunflower Farmers Market, 3860 W. River Road. There, ACMEStudio members sell their art, including pottery and jewelry.
"They're open to the community and you can buy, sell or trade anything there. It's our way of advertising our own programs as well," Harrington said.
Harrington and the rest of ACMEStudio have tried to raise awareness of the program by getting local youths involved. Kids as young as 13 volunteer at art camps and workshops.
Rebecca Reiter, a 15-year-old sophomore at Marana High School, began interning with ACMEStudio in the summer of 2010. In addition to leading workshops and studios, Reiter has helped advertise ACMEStudio by creating a Facebook page.
"Being given this opportunity at such a young age was incredible, and the respect and trust I've gained makes me proud of what I've been able to accomplish," she said.
Through workshop fees and donations, Reiter receives a stipend for her work with the program. Though the money comes out to only around $5 an hour, Reiter said it is "incredibly helpful."
For Reiter, though, the money is just an added bonus to the already rewarding job of spreading art to children.
"Learning to work with young children can be very challenging and requires a lot of patience, but it is definitely rewarding," she said.
Harrington said that for her, the rewards come from sharing the benefits of art with the community.
"All of us board members want to encourage a child to do art even if they never want to go into the arts," she said. "Just having some kind of artistic thing you can do in your spare time will occupy you enough emotionally and spiritually."
Find out more
For more information about ACMEStudio call Sharon Harrington at 861-7442.
If you go
• What: Hang Out Studio for school-age children
• When: 5-8 p.m. Tuesdays except during school holidays, when the program also takes a break
• Where: Marana Health Center, 13395 N. Marana Main St. - go through the farmers market and look for signs to the Hang Out Studio
• Cost: Free
• Register: Parents can register their children for the program at the Hang Out Studio or by calling Sharon Harrington at 861-7442
John Kuells is a University of Arizona student who is an apprentice at the Star. Contact him at starapprentice@azstarnet.com or 573-4117. Regional Editor Tiffany Kjos contributed to this story.
