South Shore Arts Center Develops Creativity

For 13 years, the South Shore Arts Center has been welcoming children and adults to its Bellmore studio, where professional certified artists and instructors provide skills and techniques to foster creativity and success.

Established by Jay Lupetin, owner/director, who has over 30 years of teaching experience, SSAC prides itself on educating, developing and strengthening artistic skill, talent and knowledge, while encouraging self-esteem and expression.

"What differentiates us from other studios is that we take a concept in which the entire class is involved in producing their work," Lupein said. "Other studios allow the students to paint, draw, or build anything they want. We take a particular concept, such as landscapes, Picasso portraits, or domestic cats, and each class uses that concept to learn how to better paint, draw or build. We're proud to say that our students have graduated and attend some of the premier art schools in the country. We've had students accepted to Pratt, Fashion Institute of Technology, School of Visual Arts and other fine institutions."

SSAC starts developing a love of art and creativity with its students early offering a variety of classes. The center offers drawing, painting, pottery, clayworks, pre-K and kindergarten art enrichment, studio teen art, portfolio classes for grades 10 through 12, ceramic and pottery scout badges, arts and crafts workshops, and summer camp programs. The studio operates on five eight-week semesters running throughout the year.

"Not only do we offer instructional classes, but we expose our students to the lives and insights of famous artists and art movements," Lupetin said. "Each semester, we focus on a different theme. For example, this semester we're studying the landscapes of Edward Hopper. Our studio art class's theme is rainforests in which each student is choosing a different South American rainforest animal to draw. However, we realize that our students and their artwork are as different and unique as each of their personalities and talents. We realize that artists see the world around them differently and we afford each student the ways and means to achieve their vision."

Each semester, the studio caters to 120 to 160 students; 90 percent of them, said Lupetin, are repeat students who sign up for classes in the fall and continue throughout the year. In the summer, new students take advantage of the programs. 

The studio also offers 90-minute birthday parties. A variety of arts and crafts projects are available including a photo frame with an easel, treasure boxes, flower pot art, deco mirrors, dream catchers, clock art and Mardi Gras masks. Birdhouse art and scrapbook art are also available for an additional fee.

The studio has gained a reputation for its special ceramic-bisque birthday parties in which children choose mugs, plates, dishes or other items from the catalog to design and glaze. Lupetin noted that parents have to return to pick up the items later in the week after they have been baked in the kiln. All parties include pizza, drinks, paper goods and invitations. Parents can bring their own cupcakes, birthday cakes, ice cream and favors. Parties may be scheduled Friday afternoon or evening, Saturday afternoon and evenings, and all day Sunday. Fees are $17.95 per child for parties of 20-23 children; $18.95 per child for parties of 15-19 children; $19.95 per child for parties of 12-14 children; and $22.95 per child for parties of 8-11 children.

For more information call 679-7716 or visit their Web site.