After nearly four years of construction, the Student Union’s Leisure Arts Studio is reopening with a new space, new equipment and a new-found freedom.
Leisure arts classes started in their new space on the first floor of the Union on Tuesday, Jan. 18. Classes in stained glass, jewelry, watercolor, hand building clay, wheel throwing clay and others are now offered in the new Leisure Arts Studio. Art classes are open to non-art majors as well as the general public.
“It has been kind of a long wait for us,” said Lynne Maxwell, assistant director of leisure and arts. “I have been very looking forward to our reopening.”
Registration is staggered for the non-credit art courses, and many will be starting in the spring. Class fees range from $20 to $150, and discounts are available for University students.
Classes are taught by professionals with a passion for their specific art medium and for teaching, according to Maxwell.
 
She said many instructors are old hands at teaching, and several are just getting their feet wet.
“If you’re interested in learning something new, it’s a cheap option,” said Daniel Winkler, education graduate student.
The new Leisure Arts Studio, previously known as the Creative Arts Center, has a number of new features. Work space was expanded to include new work areas and equipment.
Most notably, the kilns are located in a room outside of the Union’s classroom space instead of inside the work space like the previous center. New industrial sinks and a separate glaze room were added, as well, said Maxwell.
Flexible ventilation snorkels are attached to the ceiling above work stations. These snorkels may be positioned above projects to capture dangerous work fumes and create a safer working environment, according to Maxwell.
Safety was also considered when installing suspended outlets above the clay wheel area. The previous work space had electrical outlets sticking out of the ground leaving cause for concern as clay wheel spinning requires a bucket of water on the floor next to the wheel.
New hours have come in addition to a new location. The old Creative Arts Center shared space with a frame shop and had to restrict hours to fit with the framers’ schedule. The flexible times have students like watercoloring instructor Roberta Loflin excited.
“I like the relaxed feeling of working on Sundays, and the parking is much easier,” Loflin said.
 
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Contact Josh Naquin at [email protected]