Being a part of the art community demands creative talent and unwavering dedication. While this may be easier for those who have been at it for years and have made an informed decision to be a part of, it can be challenging for a neophyte who is just starting out. This is where a nonprofit that offers art classes for curious people comes in—the Temple Arts Collective.

Inspired when she was walking downtown, Lali Nicole Young fell in love with an old Labor Temple building on South Stone Avenue, Young had the mission to provide a place for enthusiastic people of all ages to explore multimedia, traditional art mediums, take a class, or just be part of the community. From that moment on, she became determined to provide a place for seasoned artists to continue to create, and for art neophytes to spread their creative wings.

Knowing that being an artist could be a lonely job, what with being in a studio for long periods of time, she surrounds herself with like-minded people such as her mother, Gerrie Young, Jane Krosen, and Leslie Hall...a built in artistic community!

At Temple Arts Collective, I learned different types of artwork and had the opportunity to work with clay. There were kids of all ages there, ranging from preschoolers up to 12th grade. There were so many different creations that were made!

We were given the chance to play with our imaginations and get creative. They taught us all the basics on how to mold clay, stick pieces of clay together, flatten it out, and how to keep it from going dry during our building process. I had a fun time there because I not only learned something new, I also felt that I was respected and never thought I wasn’t “good enough.” They were always supportive of your success and offered support when you failed. At Temple Arts Collective, I also gained more confidence and motivation to create more artworks in the future.

Being a part of Temple Arts Collective can spark inspiration in creating original and unique pieces, and provides a nurturing space for artistic expression. Whether you’re art curious or a seasoned veteran, you’re the exact person they are looking for! For any expressive path, Temple Arts Collective is the perfect place to get started.

To contact Temple Arts Collective, email temple.arts.collective@gmail.com or find them on Instagram @temple.arts.collective.