Though moving the Colorwheel Studio to the basement of her home took a lot of work, co-owner Kay Benesi said the new location, which she describes as "cheerful," exceeds expectations.
Enrollment for summer programs reached about 150, just 10 less than last year at the former location on 1959 Sixth Ave. W. Benesi estimates 75 percent of the students this summer were transfer students from the old location.
"I feel 20 years at our old place was great, but it just feels really good to have it at home," Benesi said, who owns the business with her husband, Jeff. "It's just so convenient and I enjoy teaching smaller classes. I can spend more time with each kid. It's just been really great. No regrets whatsoever."
Apart from the convenience factor, Benesi said she really enjoys the smaller groups and that out of this summer she couldn't pick a highlight moment.
"The whole thing was the highlight," she said. "Moving from our old place was such a huge job and we put in a lot of work over a couple month period and so when it all came together and the first group of kids came down there and I taught I didn't know if I would like it, but I did. I was like 'wow,' it was worth it."
Though the class sizes are smaller, the space doesn't limit the types of art Benesi teaches. This summer, students painted the Seattle skyline using acrylics on canvas, as well as self-portraits.
And the kids don't seem to mind the new location either.
"I really like the fact I can take the kids out into my backyard in the summer; they seem to like that and it's been cooler down there [in the basement] so that was nice in the 104 degree weather," Benesi said.
Summer courses finish this week, but she's offering a three-week drawing and painting class called "Mythical Animals and Creatures" starting mid-September, and a Medieval Times" class that will include clay art and acrylic paints that starts in November. Her husband, Jeff Benesi, also teaches art classes and will be teaching a Wednesday evening drawing and painting classes for kids and adults starting in November.[[In-content Ad]]
