Westfield Painter Opens Community Art Center in Garwood

GARWOOD, NJ — Westfield painter Sharon Reed put her artistic talents to work when she transformed the former Garwood VFW into a creative, cooperative community art space.

Reed opened the community art center, South Avenue Arts, last week inside the building — that had remained empty for years — while keeping its old character in tact.

“It’s a cool space,” Reed told Patch. “I really liked how it turned out. I essentially deconstructed the space and kept the exposed roof and capped an old wooden bar. I restored as much as could since I like old stuff.”

Reed’s perspective on the building perfectly represents her artistic side and serves as a great fit for her first business, South Avenue Arts.

Located at 221 South Avenue in Garwood, South Avenue Arts includes two semi-private studios for rent, a large communal studio space to join, art classes for all ages, summer camp for kids, and a gallery featuring local artists.

“The classes here are and will be all taught by real artists and instructors,” Reed said. “It's not a ‘craft’ place or a wine and paint venue.”

Her vision for South Avenue Arts is rooted in Reed’s past.

“I’ve always been artistic,” Reed said, who has been a painter for the past 15 years. “My mom was an art teacher and I have always done art. I went to school for interior design and began painting while at home.”

Reed ran her own studio out of her house and was looking for a larger space to bring other artists to share their work and be able to teach others.

“A place where they could share their love for art,” Reed said of the new space.

For more information on South Avenue Arts visit http://southavenuearts.com/ or Facebook.

(Photos via http://southavenuearts.com/)

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