Explore The Artist Within At Art Students League Of Denver

It's always nice to find a place where you can try your hand at a new form of art that you've always dreamed of doing. CBS4 Critic at Large Greg says the Art Students League of Denver is one such place.

Art Students League of Denver
200 Grant St.
Denver, CO 80203
(303) 778-6990
asld.org

(credit: CBS)

DENVER (CBS4) - From painting to pottery, woodworking to writing and ceramics to sculpture, there are as many different styles of art as there are different styles of people.

All you have to do to find your way is to find a place to start.

There are hundreds of places in Denver to explore and develop your particular art. One of Greg Moody's favorites is the Art Students League of Denver.

"There's really a lot going on at the league," said Executive Director Rachel Basye said. "We're offering classes in a variety of visual arts media. We have a great new gas kiln that has augmented our ceramics program. And then we have all of our ongoing classes in drawing, painting, mixed media and print making."

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The school is located on South Grant and they have a gallery at 7th and Santa Fe. The league opens the door to artistic possibilities.

"You can come view our classes, sit in, talk to students and faculty member in addition to the staff that's here about the variety of media we offer. When you're sitting in a class you can understand 'Is that the right artist to learn from?' " Basye said.

And what's the hardest part of discovering your art?

"Looking at that perfectly blank canvas and making your first mark on it can be the biggest hurdle to overcome," Basye said.

In other words, you just have to do it.

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Classes are available for every level with great local artists like Sandra Kaplan and Rob Gratiot as instructors.

"We all have a need to express ourselves, with anything from painting to beer making. But many of us don't try. We're too busy, tired, afraid of looking silly," Moody said. "But once you do jump in -- to music, cooking, writing, theater, painting, video, ceramics, wood working, feng shui, (whatever!) -- you discover something new about yourself and about the world around you."

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Moody said he enjoys painting despite his admitted lack of great skill because "I like how it makes me feel. I like what it makes me see."

"Whether you write or perform or craft, attach your butt to the chair and do it! Express yourself. If you're honest about it the art will speak for you. It doesn't have to be good. It doesn't have to sell. It just has to be you."

- Greg Moody is CBS4's Critic At Large. His reports on CBS4 News are featured on the CBSDenver.com Entertainment section.

- Also, don't miss Moody's entertaining bio, his Top Spots in Denver lists, and his frequently updated Moody's Picks page.