The Creative Side, Inc.

Dear Creative Side Family,

After 14 amazing years of art instruction in our community, The Creative Side officially closed it’s doors in May 2018.

“Miss Debby” began this business with a handful of students in 2004. Beginning with classes in her home, she soon expanded by offering classes to Home School groups and through Parks and Recreation in Spotsylvania, Fredericksburg, Stafford, King George, Louisa, and Culpeper. As enrollment grew, she hired co-instructors, held classes at Liberty Town Arts and rented the Studio on Jackson Street, eventually moving to the new Studio on Salem Church Road.

As so often happens, competing priorities take us in different directions and down different paths. Some of our team are pursuing our careers and educations, some are focusing on family, and some have moved out of the area. We are grateful for all the wonderful years we spent together.

We have so many awesome memories! The kid-centric First Friday celebrations, the Art Shows & Halloween Parties. We love all of the wonderful, talented, smart, funny kids (and adults!) we have taught through the years. These have been some of the best years of our lives.

The Creative Side tradition and philosophy of gentle guidance and confidence building lives on with Artists in Bloom. “Miss Jo” has continued offering classes through Spotsylvania Parks and Rec, and is expanding into new counties. Please contact her at Artists in Bloom for future inquiries about classes, Scout badges, Home School art, and paint parties.

We want to thank each and every one of you for making The Creative Side such a success. It has been a joy serving you.

Thank you,

Debby Munro
Kathleen Kaelin
Jo Rancel
Brandon Yowell
Tracy Clater Colby

Love The Creative Side Summer Day Camps? Think we are doing a great job?

Vote for us in Best of the Burg - Children's Services - Best Summer Day Camp.

Thank you. : )

Nominate your favorite businesses now! Who is the Best of the Burg? Let us know what you think! Nominate your favorite businesses now!

http://mailchi.mp/6929762156bc/drawing-and-painting-classes-1468469

NEW SESSIONS STARTING! New sessions start at both Fredericksburg Parks and Rec. and Spotsylvania Parks and Rec. on February 1st.

Some art lessons are more about life than about art.

The students usually work on projects of their choosing. Tonight they were given sheets of newsprint and asked to pick four chalk pastels, three warm and one cool color (or 3 cool and one warm). They were then given a selection of bird photos to choose from and asked to make the most of what they had been given.

The take away is that life throws you surprises. You have to make the most of what you have at your disposal. Be creative, flexible, and willing to experiment with new ways of doing things. You will not always have exactly what you need (or want), but a "can do" attitude will make all the difference in life.

These kids amaze me, every time.

Creativity and talent? Absolutely.

Tool & media choice and the techniques used, make all the difference in the final outcome. I love their willingness to experiment and perfect.

http://mailchi.mp/630a439d5821/summer-camp-1429601

NEW SESSIONS STARTING! New sessions start this Thursday at both Fredericksburg Parks and Rec. and Spotsylvania Parks and Rec.

These amazing students usually work seated, on a smaller scale, with a lot more detail. It was time to mix it up a bit.

Standing, working fast on newsprint with black oil pastels was a great way to get them to think in new directions and try new techniques.

Working with our creative students is such a blessing.

http://mailchi.mp/c2e58dcd1f77/summer-camp-1406269

NEW SESSIONS STARTING! New session starts tomorrow night 8/10 at Fredericksburg Parks and Rec. New session starts on 8/18 at Spotsy Parks and Rec. NOW OFFERING PRIVATE LESSONS!

So much fun at art camp this week!! Such an amazing group of young artists!

http://mailchi.mp/77b58adb19ae/summer-camp

SUMMER CAMP! 7/10-7/13 FROM 1:30-3:30 AGES 5-12 Our camp offers a variety of techniques and mediums including graphite, charcoal, chalk pastel, oil pastel, ink and acrylics. Registration is through Spotsy parks and recreation.

http://mailchi.mp/45ef650755de/new-sessions-start-thursday-and-friday-1384893

SUMMER CAMP! 7/10-7/13 FROM 1:30-3:30 AGES 5-12 Our camp offers a variety of techniques and mediums including graphite, charcoal, chalk pastel, oil pastel, ink and acrylics. Registration is through Spotsy parks and recreation.

http://mailchi.mp/3aa05507ba50/new-sessions-start-thursday-and-friday-1369997

New Session Starts Thursday at Fredericksburg Parks and Rec! Acrylic beach scene taught to ages 5 and Up! CALL FOR YOUR FREE CLASS TODAY! (540) 846-8920