ABOUT OPEN ART SPACE
Open Art Space is a small art studio in the heart of the Creative Enterprise Zone in St. Paul, MN. Through a flexible pricing system that relies on people to pay what they can, Open Art Space helps make quality art experiences accessible for everyone. For some, this may mean paying a bit more, and others a bit less. In the end, we all get what we need — space and time to create together.
Founded in the Fall of 2019, OAS had to pivot quickly when COVID-19 hit just a few months after the space was acquired. Throughout the pandemic restrictions, a teen art group continued to meet outdoors at various natural sites throughout the twin cities area. We met once a month in all weather! Teen artists are the core of Open Art Space, and motivated teens are invited to help form a future vision for Open Art Space in post-pandemic times.
Laura Pereira has been an art educator for nearly thirty years as a classroom teacher, a museum educator, and an independent contract artist. Working with people of all ages to find meaning through making art has been a focus throughout her career. Currently, she is the Visual Arts Specialist at The Friends School of Minnesota.
Open Art Space also serves as Laura's personal art studio. Laura works primarily in encaustic and mixed media painting, and is a 2013 recipient of an Artist Initiative grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. See her work at www.laurapereira.com