Kids of All Ages Flock to Rye Arts Center Open House

This article was updated at 7:45 p.m. on Oct. 8.

As skies threatened rain on Sept. 7, artist Meera Agarwal was undaunted.

Demonstrating Kolam, the technique of using rice flour to create floor drawings of symmetrical and interconnected lines and loops, she captivated visitors to the Rye Arts Center’s Open House, explaining the role of ritual and impermanence in this artform.

Art students, residents, and the merely curious swarmed The RAC at its annual open house, where visitors were able to get acquainted with the center’s offerings, instructors, and exhibits. Both young and old art lovers were on hand to explore inside and out.

In an indoor studio, Jim “Mr. Jim” Paget, a stop-motion, cartoon, and manga instructor, led children through the basics of drawing characters.

Helayne Friedland demonstrated lessons about texture and shape in the ceramics studio, while Gary Mack introduced visitors to the center’s latest technology — virtual reality headsets. He leads classes in digital architecture, Minecraft, and coding, and is looking to develop ways to use virtual reality in his STEAM instruction.

Ann Ladd and Katarina Karlsson Finkenberg also led explorations with aspiring young visual artists.

On hand to talk about her work with middle and high school students was Laura Anechiarico, who teaches drawing and painting, as well as a portfolio preparation class for high school artists.

“I work with them to develop their confidence so that they not only become better artists, but also learn to teach other students,” Anechiarico said.

Lauren LaMance, who teaches Art for Beginners, an introductory drawing class for adults, said she encourages her students to explore their creative interests regardless of skill level. Besides drawing, adult class offerings include writing, ceramics, watercolor, jewelry making and more.

As instructors encouraged enrollment in their classes, vendor tents covered the front lawn. Staff, artists, and families mingled, watched, drew, sculpted, listened, and learned. The program included live musical performances from instructors, demonstrations by visual artists, and mini-classes for children. An artisan boutique rounded out the offerings. People streamed through Gallery to see Agarwal’s series of Kolam pieces.

People also gathered in the Rye Arts Center theater space to hear musicians perform on piano, vocals, strings, guitar, and more. The Open House promoted the center’s upcoming special programs, including a day-long masterclass for high school vocalists with singer Susan Collins on Sept. 28.

The annual Open House kicked off the Rye Arts Center’s month-long membership drive, which, RAC leaders pointed out, includes a 25 percent discount for new members who register for their first class before Sept. 30.