Phoenix Center for the Arts kicked off its fall classes with a Welcome Back Party on Friday, inviting all current, former and prospective students to come learn about the organization’s new opportunities.
“With more staff at the center, it’s possible to pay closer attention to all of the students, to divide and conquer,” Phoenix Center for the Arts director Joseph Benesh said.
The center was first established in 1975 and operated by the city of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department. However, due to city budget cuts, it was scheduled to close.
The community spoke up and the center was turned over to the existing nonprofit three years ago, the Phoenix Center Arts Association, now known as Phoenix Center for the Arts, Inc. As a nonprofit, Phoenix Center for the Arts has grown.
This year, the center is focusing on “staying with its roots,” Benesh said.
Lauren Henschen, Phoenix Center for the Arts marketing director, said the center’s mission is to provide experience in the arts to everyone. If you are a student at the center, the staff is not only paying close attention to you, but they are also listening to your ideas, Henschen said.
Every trimester the center adds different classes to the schedule based on what students say they want to learn and what the organization can accommodate, Henschen said.
When the center reopened as a nonprofit three years ago it offered 40-50 classes. Today, they offer more than 150 options three times a year. Classes are targeted toward adults, youth or families and cover topics such as ceramics, dance and printmaking.
One way Phoenix Center for the Arts brings artists together is by organizing festivals that welcome all artists in the community. One of the organization’s most popular festivals is the annual Phoenix Festival of the Arts, which will take place in Margaret T. Hance Park on Dec. 12-14.
In addition to the many arts and cultural organizations participating as vendors and exhibitors, art lovers will be able to enjoy local food-truck cuisine and performances.
Julie Seldes, a Phoenix Center for the Arts employee, first learned about the center through the festival.
“I was inspired to join PCA after going to the festival and seeing artists unite to draw and paint murals,” Seldes said.
She then started at Phoenix Center for the Arts as a volunteer. Seldes said she highly recommends volunteering to anyone interested in exploring the arts.
“When you volunteer and have a certain number of hours logged, those hours count as points and once you have a certain number of points you can take classes for free,” current volunteer Hewlaine von Bretzel said.
The staff and volunteers are not the only people at Phoenix Center for the Arts who praise the center — students have a high opinion of it, as well.
“They offer unique classes that I couldn’t find anywhere else in the area, it’s close and convenient and the price is right,” current student Silvia Benincaso said.
Contact the reporter at Louisa.Stanwich@asu.edu
