Art Village, is located at 1205 Second St. in Stevens Point, and provides classes and professional studio equipment to artists and those interested in creating art. It also includes a paint your own pottery studio for families and people who enjoy painting pottery in a relaxing and fun environment. Art Village also provides a consignment gallery where artists can display and sell their work. Since it’s opening two and a half years ago, Art Village is becoming a destination point with in the city.

Art Village is growing and evolving in stages. Our first year, we concentrated primarily on bringing people in to our paint your own pottery studio and promoting classes. Successful endeavors include birthday parties, bachelorette parties, Scout troops, office parties and other fun party events. Special painting nights include University Nights, Family Nights, Ladies Night Out and more. New “make and take” projects such as mosaics, painting boards and T-shirt painting are also being developed.

We are continuing to focus on building memberships and increased class participation. We have increased the number of classes such as drawing, painting and ceramics/pottery, photography, mixed media, jewelry, polymer clay, paper making and glass. Many more are being developed. Art Village offers special programs meeting the needs of home schooling, private and public school programs and afterschool programs such as our Young Artists Society. Spring Break and Summer Art Camps are held as well.

We are also creating more projects that can be done similar to paint your own pottery such as mosaics and painting boards. Art Village is already laying ground work to expand to offer more art related products and services which is generating enormous excitement with our current customers.

This last fall we opened our Underground Gallery. This is an opportunity for local artists to display and sell their artwork. We also hope to raise awareness about the great talent within our own community.

Other future plans include moving to a facility which can house other types of art studios such as woodworking, metals, glass, paper and fiber arts, printmaking, kids crafts and computer graphics. Art Village Book, Supply and Gift Shop will provide all the necessary art supplies to supplement Art Village classes and projects for both studio and home use. The gift shop will include unique artistic gift items and should become an attraction to people looking for something different and out of the ordinary. Individual studio space for professional artists will also be available for rent.

As we continue to focus on art education, our website and newsletter will expand to bring art news, tips, and instruction to our customers. It is our intent to broaden our customer base beyond Stevens Point.