ARTICLE
Cotuit Center for the Arts recently refurbished its “Schoolhouse” building, a former residential property located behind its administration building. It now houses two classrooms, gallery space, the center’s Education offices, and serves as the headquarters for the Cape Cod Collaborative Arts Network (CapeCodCAN!) The property was acquired by the center in 2016 and recently refurbished. It was brought to ADA compliance with funds from the Bilezikian Family Foundation. CapeCodCAN!, a stand-alone, self-sustaining program of Cotuit Center for the Arts, provides opportunities for inclusion and active participation in the arts for people with disabilities. Over the past six years CapeCodCAN programs have provided hundreds of people with disabilities the opportunity to directly participate in the arts and have given large audiences a better understanding and real appreciation for the artistic potential of people with disabilities. A porch gallery at the Schoolhouse displays and sells work by the program’s artists. Christine Ernst directs the Education department at the Center, which offers classes in visual art, music, dance, theater, yoga, and writing for people of all ages and abilities in a supportive environment. Classes are taught by a core faculty of professional working fine artists, skilled craftspeople, and experienced educators. The two new classrooms in the Schoolhouse building will provide space for printmaking, photography, writing, and more. “The warm, updated facility offers clean, functional space for these classes,” said Ernst. “It enables us to offer more classes and a greater variety of topics to meet the needs and interests of community members.” Upcoming classes include Intro to Monoprinting with Alice Galick, which takes place Thursday through Saturday, June 14 to 16. Hours are 10 AM to 3 PM on Thursday and Friday, and 11 AM to 3 PM on Saturday. Galick, a master printmaker, will give students the opportunity to explore and experiment with many different types of monoprinting, and students will leave with their own unique work of art. The class is limited to eight participants. Intro to Photoshop with Bob Singer is offered Mondays, July 16 through August 20, from 6 to 8 PM. Singer is an award-winning fine art photographer and instructor. The class provides information on how to manipulate photos and create unique designs and is ideal for photographers, bloggers, designers, and other creative people. More information on these two classes and others offered at the Schoolhouse and elsewhere on the Cotuit Center for the Arts campus may be found at artsonthecape.org or by calling 508-428-0669. For more information, visit artsonthecape.org or call 508-428-0669.