60
Arts
April 5 – 18, 2014
www.SanTanSun.com
Open Arts Studio available for community use
Renowned flamenco guitarist performs at CCA
BY MEGHAN MCCOY
Artists sometimes have an idea, but do not have a way to realize their thoughts. The Tumbleweed Recreation Center has an answer for that. It houses the Open Arts Studio for individuals to work on their craft. “Sometimes people have the urge to do stuff and don’t know where to begin,” explains Sam Swail, who has used the Open Arts Studio since the TRC opened in spring 2008. “I think it’s great that they offer time for the community to use the room,” Swail says. “There isn’t anything else I have seen in the area like it. It’s a great resource for the community.” The Open Arts Studio was a guestdriven project, says TRC Marketing and Communication Coordinator for Community Services Brooke Peterson. It stemmed from a community member asking if anyone was using the open space. Peterson says city officials agreed that as long as the space is not being utilized for classes, special events or programs, it could be used by community members. “We are here to serve the community,” she says was among the responses. “Let’s open it up to them.” The Open Arts Studio is equipped with tables and chairs, two sinks and a few posters on how to use colors, as well as artwork. “As long as someone brings their own art supplies, they can use the space,” Peterson says. “It is open to the public to
ARTS STUDIO: Tumbleweed Recreation Center offers the Open Arts Studio to community members when classes, special events or programs are not being held in the space. Submitted photo
come and work on their project and have open space that is quiet and away from their home.” The center is frequently used by artists, so it’s easy to seek out opinions of others. “There is always someone to help here,” Peterson says. In addition to the Open Arts Studio, the center also has a ceramics studio with a pottery wheel that the community can use if a class is not in session. Peterson says individuals have to bring their own clay to use. Peterson encourages those who are interested in using the space to make reservations by calling the TRC at (480) 782-2900. “The best thing to do is call and make
EVENING HOURS AVAILABLE! Now open until 8 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday.
sure it is not being used,” Peterson says. Individuals can also block out the space for themselves, or rent classroom space if they do not want any interruptions. The Tumbleweed Recreation Center is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Swail offers ceramics classes next to the Open Arts Studio. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/ swail.arts or email samswail@hotmail.com. Meghan McCoy is the Neighbors and Business section editor for the SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at meghan@ santansun.com.
Award-winning flamenco guitar player Jesse Cook will perform at the Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler, on Friday, May 9. Canadian guitarist, composer, and producer, widely considered one of the most influential figures in “nuevo flamenco” music, Cook incorporates elements of flamenco rumba, jazz and many forms of world music into his work. For the 47-year-old Toronto resident, who was born in Paris to John Cook, a film director and his wife, Heather, a former CBC television producer, this record is much different from the rumba flamenco for which he is best known. Indeed, Cook has been a leading proponent of the genre since bursting onto the world music scene with 1995’s “Tempest.” Among his many accolades, in 2008, he won the silver medal in Acoustic Guitar magazine’s prestigious Players’ Choice Awards behind the legendary Paco De Lucia. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $36, $42 and $48. For more information, call (480) 782-2680 or visit www.chandlercenter.org.
Tired of Dealership Prices?
LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1992
Quality work without the hassle of dealership prices. Independent Honda, Acura, Toyota Automotive Shop. HONTECH
Automotive Service
480-899-2701 www.hontechaz.com
320 S. Arizona Ave. #115, Chandler