Newest Young Rembrandts site to be at Artist Central

April 26, 20131:47 p.m.

WICHITA — Think your child is a Rembrandt in the making?

Carla Calvert is going to cater to young artists with a new Young Rembrandts location.

The Chicago-based international franchise offers step-by-step drawing lessons for preschool and elementary school children.

“We’re really designed for after-school programming,” Calvert says.

She offers classes at the Maize Recreation Center, the Goddard Community Center, the Church of the Holy Spirit and is adding a location at Jo Zakas’ Artist Central at 5014 E. Central next month. That’s on the north side of Central between Oliver and Edgemoor.

Calvert says her instructors are “art enthusiasts, educators and enjoy working with children.”

Young Rembrandts is designed to, among other things, help children become better observers while developing motor skills and increasing their confidence.

In May and throughout summer, Calvert will offer one-hour classes Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

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Artist Central adds artists and square footage

Jan. 12, 20124:32 p.m.

WICHITA — The new Artist Central on East Central between Oliver and Edgemoor is already expanding.

Clifton Square owner Jo Zakas and a group of other artists opened the space late last year to create, show and sell art.

It has grown from 900 square feet to 2,400 square feet and has three new private art studios, one of which is still available.

New artists have also joined the group, including Pamela Lamont, who used to be in Delano, and Bob Bayer, an abstract artist who started painting at age 75.

“Isn’t that great?” Zakas says.

California transplant Joseph Parker also has joined the group.

“He has got some very interesting work,” Zakas says.

The group has debuted a monthly artist’s talk – Steve Murillo took the first one – and is starting acrylic paint classes Jan. 18

The $150 class is every Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. for 10 weeks.

Zakas says the studio has kicked off in a big way.

“We’ve had tremendous support from everyone, including our artists, which we are just extremely thankful for.”

 

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Artist Central to open for artists to create, show and sell their work

Nov. 17, 20115:06 a.m.

WICHITA — Clifton Square owner Jo Zakas and a group of other artists are opening a new space to create, show and sell art.

Artist Central will be at 5014 E. Central, which is on the north side of Central between Oliver and Edgemoor.

“Primarily it’s an artist’s studio where people can come and work,” Zakas says.

Other artists include Carol Cumberland, Barbara Niewald, Vicki McIlroy and internationally known artist and teacher Jim Gross.

Initially, they’ll have 900 square feet, which has been vacant since U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran had a campaign office there.

Zakas says there’s room to grow to 2,400 square feet.

“We’re looking for some additional artists, too,” she says.

The artists have a particular focus on abstract work, though they’re open to any kind of artists joining them, including photographers.

Art isn’t new to Zakas, who is best known for her Clifton Square retail center near College Hill.

“You know, I’ve been doing art since the ’80s,” she says. “It all started because I needed paintings for my wall, and everything I looked at was $6,000.”

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