Fox River Academy of Music and Art Opens Doors at New Location

On Sunday an Oswego institution opened the doors on its brand new facility.

The has settled into its new location at 4785 Route 71 in Oswego. The new building is part of the Oswego Office Center between Washington Street and Orchard Road The academy celebrated its move with an open house showcasing the creative talents of the students.

Director Ron Stark explained with pride how the interior was completely raw just a little over a month ago.

“Where you are sitting was a gravel floor at Christmas," he told a recital audience.

Before settling into the recital room, guests could tour the school. The rooms are of different sizes to accommodate different size classes, private and semi-private lessons. More than  100 people visited the academy Sunday. They enjoyed refreshments, student and faculty performances and art workshops.

One workshop featured was making 'Glass look' flowers or sea creatures using recycled materials. The project, inspired by the work of Dale Chihuly, was supervised by Maureen Gasek and Heidi Miller.

Students first painted an empty water bottle with acrylic paints. Then they cut the bottom off the bottle and cut it into thick strips from the base to the neck. Next, using a heat gun, they heated the strips until they could be bent and folded. Once the bottle had been molded into the desired shape, the student can added wire or other accessories to complete their flower or sea creature.

Visitors also learned about the academy's newly announced summer classes. Gasek said that the art classes are designed around a progression. Students learn basic skills and then can move on to more advanced classes. A person can take one or two classes or an entire series.

Classes cover both traditional "fine" arts and more hands-on art. Gasek described them as "high end crafts." There are classes for both children and adults.

“The kids are great.” said Gasek. “Their creativity feeds my own.”

Adults are different, Gasek said.

“They need to learn to think like children again. They have remember how to play," she said.