Autumn is in the air, and Open Studio Groton has taken down the “Gone Fishing” sign that hung in its front window this August. In its place are descriptions of more than a dozen fall classes and workshops for adults and children being offered in the cozy Hollis Street location.
Co-owner Miranda Hersey is back with her popular writing classes as well as individual creativity coaching sessions by appointment. Her Open Studio partner, Ellen Olson-Brown, returns with Friendly Yoga for Children, with weekly sessions for children ages 4 through 12.
“We knew Open Studio would be a great venue for my creativity coaching and Ellen’s kids’ yoga classes,” says Hersey. “And we hoped that our Groton friends and neighbors would make use of the space for classes of their own. We envision Open Studio as an incubator where people can share their talents with the community, and we’ve been so inspired by the many people who have approached us with their ideas.”
That includes people like Wendy Frank, a local musician who is teaching Wendy’s Music Circle for preschoolers on Friday mornings and an after-school class, Music & Poetry Intertwined, for kids ages 8-10. Anne Dries of Buddha Nest Yoga, who makes her temporary home at Open Studio while her new 134 Main Street location is renovated, is offering four different yoga classes each week. A reading class for kindergartners and first graders by Martha Foster, which was popular over the summer, is being offered again. All sessions may be pro-rated for latecomers, space permitting.
Off-site in his Groton blacksmithing workshop, Ray Ciemny of Artisan Iron is back by popular demand with his Irons in the Fire workshops. Part I for beginners takes place October 6 and 7, followed by Part II on November 10 and 11.
On October 27, Open Studio welcomes bestselling author Susan Piver, who will present a meditation workshop followed by an exploration of the Enneagram, a system of self-exploration that describes nine basic personality types and their relationships with one another.
“Drafting a Personal Creed” is the title of a November 17 and 18 workshop with Mary Johnson, acclaimed author of An Unquenchable Thirst. Through writing prompts and group discussion, participants will uncover and express the beliefs, both conscious and unconscious, that govern their lives, and decide which beliefs to adopt as a personal creed moving forward.
Creative Community Hours also return this fall on Tuesdays from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm and Wednesdays from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Creative Community Hours provide an opportunity to get work – creative or otherwise – done away from the distractions of home, while soaking up the inspiration that comes from working alongside others. Open Studio provides free wifi and coffee, tea, and snacks are available.
“It’s hard to believe we haven’t even been open for a year,” notes Hersey. “We like to call Open Studio ‘The little space that’s big on possibility,’ and we couldn’t be more pleased by all the positive energy that the community has brought to the studio. For Ellen and myself, the studio shows us that all things really are possible.”
To learn more about Open Studio visit openstudiogroton.com.
