Art Educator Interview: Kim Poler from Beehive Art Studio

I am beyond thrilled today to introduce you lot to my friend and art teacher extraordinaire, Kim Poler. She is the most innovative and enterprising woman I've had the pleasure of knowing, and the visionary behind Beehive Art studio in Wayland, Massachusetts. Kim never ever ceases to amaze me with her energy and her plethora of process-fine art ideas. Her Instagram feed is one of my peak go-to places when I need ideas. I think what impresses me most well-nigh Kim is the playfulness and joy oozing from her countenance. She truly loves what she does.

Bar: Tell me about your family and where you lot alive.

Kim: I live in Hudson, Massachusetts, with my married man, Marc, our ii kids, Eli (23) and Georgia (18), and our hound canis familiaris, Buddy Poppers (12). I've lived in the Boston area for thirty-plus years. We moved out of the metropolis fourteen years agone to a sweet old business firm with a grand and a wearing apparel line, a driveway and crickets. We are surrounded by orchards and can slip into Boston at a moments notice.

Bar: Your home sounds and so idyllic. How great to have the best of both worlds – country and close to urban center. Practise you take an art space in your home – or did you – for your own kids? Or do you similar to continue it separate (if that is even possible!)

Aye! Growing up we had a room (which we called the beehive) to draw, paint, sew, brand models, and just create. As an adult, I have ever had a infinite to brand fine art in my home. At times it's been just a workbench for myself and an easel in the kitchen for the kids. Now I take a space I mostly use for my sewing (pillows, mobiles, defunction) and stitching. If I need to silk screen, print, paint, or actually want to submerge in my work, I'll caput to the studio.

Bar: When and how did you open up your fine art studio?

Kim: I opened Beehive Art the fall of 2007. I had been didactics fine art in public and individual schools for 20 years. The timing seemed right for me make a change and there wasn't anything similar what I envisioned for kids in this surface area. I've since moved from the original studio to a much smaller space in Wayland, which is the next town over and nearly thirty minutes from Boston. Nosotros are very happy there.

Bar: Wow, it's been nine years now! It's interesting that you moved from a bigger infinite to a smaller space, usually it's the other way effectually! Tell me about how you first started – what was your schedule and did you have aid – versus what your days look like today. Have things changed much over the past 9 years?

Kim: When we first opened I ran classes Monday through Friday. I'd have mommy/me classes in the mornings followed past 4-year old classes only later dejeuner. Nosotros offered two or 3 classes for ages 5-9, and one 9 and upward (just thinking about that is exhausting). We also had birthday parties Saturdays and Sundays. We worked a ton (we had a huge overhead) but it was generally fun and rewarding. The community loved the studio. I was really fortunate that three loftier school freshman plant me and they jumped in to assist out with the afternoon classes and on weekends. They continued to work with us for years. Mostly, Marc and I would run the classes. One of us was ever present at the studio.

When we moved, our hire decreased considerably. We were able to lower our class, workshop, and party fees. I also offer less studio classes and take Beehive on the route, offering Art Enrichment in Brookline, Lincoln, Hold and Wayland. It seems to work really well for families. The kids stay put at school, I pack up my auto with art materials, and parents pick them upwards after an 60 minutes course. We still host birthday parties and workshops at the studio. I more often than not teach all of the classes solo, unless its a large group then I'll call in my worker bees.

Bar: How many classes do you teach per week?

Kim: I teach anywhere between eight – 10 classes a week, with an occasional open studio or workshop.

Bar: Do you lot have a background in fine art or teaching?

Kim: I graduated from Boston Academy, School of Fine Arts, as a Sculpture major. After graduation, I started teaching in an uncomplicated school in Brookline in their subsequently-school programme. I offered summer fine art workshops out of my home when Eli was actually little. When he started kindergarten, I taught art enrichment at his school in Cambridge. In summer, we headed back to my home in Rowayton, Connecticut, and spent many summers collaborating with Susanna Carrillo (owner of the one-time fabulous art studio Paper Pair of scissors Oranges in Darien, CT, and long time friend). We ran a great summertime art programme in Rowayton and then in her Darien studio.

I take taught numerous classes, workshops and hosted dozens of birthday parties at Beehive Fine art. We participated in Boston's Beginning Nighttime for 10 years, offering a artistic workshop to hundreds of attendees. We keep to piece of work with local charities and organizations to spread the dearest for kids making art.

Bar: That's and then interesting, Samara from Majestic Twig (my first Art Educator interviewee) too has a background in sculpture. I'k starting to realize what a valuable groundwork that is when working with children, because kids dearest to build stuff. And I see how you bring your sculpture work into your curriculum. You accept worked with kids for so many years, practise you find that your approach or technique has changed at all during that time? What have you learned from all of those summer camps, classes, birthday parties, and events?

Kim: That's a good question. I think above and beyond anything is that I have learned to let go of a lot and let things unfold more organically. I follow the kids leads and am much more than relaxed with that and the process. We all accept a lot of fun at Beehive, myself included. It's a must! It's a really fun place to be and I want people to experience that the minute they walk through the door.

I bask what I do so much more than now than I did when nosotros first started. Partially because I'chiliad not under the pressure to work all the time (although I swear I even so do!!). I manage my time differently. I've had the time to create the Beehive Shop with open-ended art kits for kids chosen Art Box, which has been a huge goal for me. I manus print all of our beehive tee shirts (our best advert always) which we tie dye by the dozen during Summertime Fine art. We take Beehive on the road to workshops and events in Boston, Brookline, Concord and Lincoln. I besides enjoy working with a dwelling house for teenage moms in Worcester. This past summer I traveled with Phoenica Flea and offered sweet summertime art in the Catskills. I'grand always open and upwardly for new adventures with Beehive. I think that's a sign of the times.

Bar: Do you have a philosophy?

Kim: It's all nigh the kids. I say it over and over. Seriously, down to the nitty and the gritty. Yes, of course I want to  expose kids to the sheer joy of creative expression and enhance their imaginations, but if I have created a space where they feel empowered and good almost themselves equally they navigate their worlds, I'm a happy girl.

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Thank y'all so much, Kim, for taking the time to talk with me. I am in awe of your one-adult female-show, and I loved hearing about the incredible journey you've had in arts educational activity. Now I only need to hop in the car and come visit you!!

Follow Kim and Beehive Art on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

I'g sure Kim would love to hear from yous, so exit any comments or questions beneath!

xo, Bar

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Source: https://www.artbarblog.com/art-educator-interview-kim-poler-beehive-art-studio/

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