Midland, MI – 2024 marks the ten year anniversary of Creative 360’s award winning Express Yourself ARTSHOP visual and performing arts program.  The year long celebration of this fully inclusive series of classes and events will kick off on Tuesday, January 9th with an Open House and Meet the Teachers Event from 4-6 pm at Creative 360’s  5501 Jefferson location.

“ARTSHOP was created to continue a program offered by Community Mental Health called Give Me Shelter,” explained Executive Director Laura Vosejpka. “In late 2013, CMH determined that it could no longer fund Give Me Shelter.  At that point a group of arts organizations and citizens got together with a plan to keep the Give Me Shelter idea alive. Creative 360 became the new home for the next generation of inclusive arts education and Express Yourself ARTSHOP was born!”

ARTSHOP classes, which are designed to offer high quality arts education to students of all abilities, including those with disabilities, are offered year-round.  The offerings change with each session, but some classes are so popular that they are offered each session.

“Some of the more popular classes right now are 3D art and performance classes,” remarked ARTSHOP lead faculty member, Allise Noble. “We are always asking our students what they are interested in learning and we design the schedule to offer a mix of traditional and specialty classes.”

“Our curriculum is designed so that all students will succeed in an ARTSHOP class,” explained Noble. “The classes are not sheltered workshops but are fully inclusive. Our teachers understand that they will have students with a large range of experience in each class. Students who are just beginning will enjoy the classes as much as those who have some experience with the subject.”

Interested students are invited to come to the January 9th Open House to meet the teachers, learn about the Winter Session classes, and see the facilities.  Light refreshments will be served.  Additionally, scholarships are available for those who need assistance and applications can be picked up at the event or requested by calling the non-profit. Students who use Community Living Support funds have a chance to apply those to their tuition costs.

The Winter Session of ARTSHOP, which starts January 16th, includes classes in Polymer Clay, Acting, Singing, Painting and more. Classes run Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday during the day.  The full schedule can be viewed on the Creative 360 website.

“ARTSHOP classes are one of the best ways to learn a new form of art,” stated Vosejpka. “The classes are designed so that you can take the time that you need to practice.  I learned how to work with ceramics in an ARTSHOP class and my experience was so positive – I was able to create work that I am truly proud to share.”

More information about the ARTSHOP program and the Open House can be found on the Creative 360 website: www.becreative360.org/events/  or by calling (989) 837-1885.