Tangerine Classes Aim to Bring Artists Out of the Closet

In the heart of Dublin, nestled among the auto body shops and fast food restaurants, one small store shines like a beacon to artists everywhere.

Tangerine, owned by artist Gina Gabriell, is a uniquely charming gift store; its shelves are laden with glimmering hand-crafted goods, glass jars of candy and trinkets and sparkling jewelry. On its walls hang paint-splashed canvasses and bright posters, all for sale. Looking at the quality and creativity of the merchandise, it's hard to imagine that Gabriell ever wanted to be anything but an artist.

"I actually wanted to be an astronaut for a while," Gabriell admitted, laughing. "But then I studied to become a nurse."

However, 10 years ago, Gabriell decided to get a degree in sculpture from the California College of Art in Oakland, and she's never looked back. Though art hasn't always been Gabriell's career, it has always been her passion. Said Gabriell, "It's just the way I was born."

Now, Gabriell is offering classes so that others with the same passion can further their artistic dreams. Classes are given in mixed media, paper clay, silver clay, collage, ceramics, doll-making, and more, so there's sure to be something of interest to any "closet artist," as Gabriell calls them—people who might have more conventional jobs, but are artists deep down, and just need a place to express their passions and create beautiful pieces that they may have never thought possible to create. Tangerine, with Gabriell's guidance, is that place.

Gabriell has a piece of advice for closet artists taking her classes: "Leave all of those inhibitions at home. There are no judgments here, and no critiques. This is meant to be an experience."

Tangerine is located at 7038 Village Parkway. Classes at Tangerine are for adults (18+) only. For more information, contact Gina Gabriell at elevenmorning@yahoo.com.