The Art Room Continues to Help Students Feel Better About Themselves

What do you get when two very creative and traditional artists buy a studio in Little Silver? You get the coolest little artistic space this side of the Jersey Shore. Opening , located at 14 Ayers Lane, in December 2009, Maureen Hourigan and Tracey Witter have created a place where adults and children can take art classes.

Before this dream location became available, both Hourigan and Witter held summer camps and portfolio preparation sessions in their respective homes. They would have as many as 8 to 10 kids coming to their homes at a time for art lessons.

With outside instructors coming in to assist with the classes, The Art Room is gearing up for their fall schedule, which runs from Sept. 12 until Dec. 16.

Petite Picasso classes will be offered to preschool children ages 3.5 to 5 on Mondays from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. and Thursdays between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. until 12:15 a.m. This class will also be offered on Fridays between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m..

Kids Art Drawing and Painting for ages 7 to 10 will be offered at 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. for 90 minutes. Kids Art Drawing and Painting instruction for kids in grades 1 to 5 will be running on Wednesdays from 4 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. and Fridays from 4 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. A similar class for ages 5 and 6 will be offered on Saturdays between 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

Fashion Design and Illustration courses for age 13 and higher will be held on Mondays between 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. and on Saturdays between 10:30 a.m. and 12 p.m.

Adult classes will be held on Tuesdays from 1 to 3 p.m., Wednesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. and Thursdays from 1 to 3 p.m. While the Tuesday class relies on drawing, the Thursday class highlights painting. The Wednesday course combines both art forms.

Mini Masters classes for 5 and 6 year olds will take place on Tuesdays from 4 to 5 p.m. and Wednesdays from 2 to 3 p.m.

Middle School Drawing and Painting courses for ages 11 and higher are scheduled to run on Thursdays from 4 to 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

A Teen course that involves drawing, painting and portfolio prep should run on Thursdays between 7 and 9 p.m. The above dates are subject to change and new classes are being added on a frequent basis. The Art Room can be contacted at (732) 842-0027 for more information.   

Witter, who specializes in watercolor, explained that a Glass Fusion Jewelry Class will be starting in October. The Art Room will also be hosting a Trunk Show, which is basically a garage art sale, on Sept. 9 and 10. Hourigan hopes that this event will encourage patrons to sign up for the fall schedule.

Witter was impressed that many of the children that she taught in her home participated in the Arts Program. These past students recently had their works on display at the Artists’ Guild in Shrewsbury.

Hourigan, who specializes in watercolor, oil and pencil, explained that for one of her daughters, “Art balanced her. When students let their talent show, they feel better about themselves.”

Phoebe Hourigan, another daughter of Maureen, helps out in the studio. Also a student, Phoebe plans on attending Clemson College in South Carolina for Art. “I love art,” stated this student who is also planning on majoring in Pre-Vet.

Janie and George Schildge had this to say in a note about their grandchild’s experience at The Art Room: “Now that Cora has left for Germany, I want to thank you and The Art Room for a very satisfying experience for Cora. She gave her Opa George the crab painting, her Uncle Dan the blue lobster for his birthday and I insisted that she take home the sea horses, the sparkling fish and the cupcake. You all really are so creative in your approach. I think you are doing a terrific job at your Art Room.”

They are constantly creating special offers and some remarkable deals at www.facebook.com/theartroomlittlesilver.

Witter concludes, “We get most of our business through word-of-mouth and the sign on Sycamore Avenue.” In addition to their classes, they offer many beautiful works of art for sale. More information about The Art Room can be found at www.go2theartroom.com.

Hourigan emphasizes, “We are not a factory. We are more personal. We offer all sorts of creative outlets. Tracey and I were born artists!”