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All-Ages Art A North Boulder studio offers classes to all ages Article Emily O’Brien | Photography Provided

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ormed from a deep-seated desire to provide authentic opportunities for children and adults to grow as skilled artists and creative people, while gaining an enriched understanding of self and community, Tinker Art Studio was born. “All of us have an intrinsic desire to create, to translate the intangible aspects of our personalities into unique pieces of art,” says Owner Christie Slater. “Tinker provides a calming and inspiring space to do this.” Tinker Art Studio, a multidimensional space in North Boulder, offers a working studio and classes for all ages. It’s an inviting place to be; the yellow walls practically drip with students’ artwork, soft music lingers in the background and the volume of chatter is kept at a low hum. This combination of laidback ambient vibe and the easygoing instructors provide the perfect backdrop for artistic play. Tinker is more than just a place to dabble. Slater is both an educator and artist and holds her master’s degree in integrated teaching through the arts. She also has her Colorado State Teaching License with an endorsement in elementary education as well as art. “With a background in art and arts integrated education, I have seen the power that the arts hold, especially with children, to enhance their understanding of the self, community and broader context of the world,” states Slater. At Tinker, students get the chance to be creative, build their confidence and come up with inventive ways of problem solving. Upon arrival, teachers give off a warm and welcoming impression; it allows everyone to feel relaxed and able to instantly engage in a project. Instructors don’t try to make the art perfect

24 Boulder Lifestyle | March 2014

or cookie cutter; instead they encourage and guide the artists to create organically. The studio enriches people with what they need to succeed creatively while the teachers truly get to know their students—but it doesn’t stop there. Last year Tinker created the artwork and led the installation of a Paint the Pavement project where neighbors gathered to paint a permanent street art installation in North Boulder. Slater also designed and built a sculpture titled Reading in Spires, which is a Little Free Library located in Holiday Park. “With our unique North Boulder location embedded in a mixed-use neighborhood, neighboring Boulder Meadows and in close proximity to the homeless shelter, the importance of an area where people can come together to share books and resources and provide opportunities for children and adults to get books in their hands is striking,” says Slater. “It’s really exciting to have an active role in contributing to the development of pockets of community throughout Boulder and to use the arts as a vehicle for doing so.” Tinker Art Studio teamed up with Boulder Opera to create a set design and Boulder Housing Partners to host workshops. Future community projects are in the works. How lucky Tinker Art Studio we are to have a multi-faceted 1300 Yellow Pine Ave. Unit B artistic space geared toward Boulder, CO 80304 both children and adults that 303.503.1902 fosters creativity and growth TinkerArtStudio.com right in our own backyard.

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