bluedogart Studio and Gallery director Susan Hogan is surrounded by theater and art students as they celebrate the official opening of the new art space in downtown Buena Vista on Friday, October 23rd. The art studio offers 10-week art classes for adults and youth ages 5 to 18 as well as occasional art academies that take place over a two or three day period. In the summer, Hogan directs the Kid's University Summer Camp. The studio/gallery is located at 212 E. 12th Street in Buena Vista and is open Tues, Wed, and Thurs from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and on Friday and Saturday from 10 to 5 (later for receptions and openings). Pictured with Hogan and the youth is (left) Chamber Director Sammy Moore, Celebrate Buena Vista Director Pat Ohleger, Buena Vista Economic Development Director Tim Reamer, and Chamber Membership Coordinator Sharon Williams (far right going right to left). (Photo by Patte Wood)

Bluedogart Celebrates Opening With Ribbon Cutting In Buena Vista Studio And Gallery Features Art Works Be Youth And Adults By Patte Wood Staff Reporter   There was a lot of excitement at 212 E. 12th Street in Buena Vista on Friday, October 23 as kids and adults celebrated the formal opening of the Bluedogart Studio and Gallery. Conceived by MRMS teacher Susan Hogan, the space is also home to Kid's University with Rebecca Moore and Andrea Seegmiller as art instructors and Melba Porter helping Hogan with the running of the facility where kids began learning about art at the studio beginning last September. Slowly, over time, the gallery was conceived and is now up and running with the work of nine young students on view as well as adult artists. The gallery also has fair trade crafts for sale. The gallery is open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and on Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm (later for receptions and openings). The studio offers art classes for adults in the evening and also art classes for youth ages 5 to 18 after school. Each session is 10 weeks long. There are also Art Academies for youth that occur over a two or three day period. For information contact Susan Hogan at 540-460-0933 or bludogsue@yahoo.com. The website is www.bludogart.vpweb.com and says: "Come join the fun by enrolling in art classes or checking out our new gallery displays of local, national, and international artists. Our goal is to provide a venue for artists from ages 5 to 95!" Susan Hogan is a special education teacher at Parry McCluer Middle School in Buena Vista, Virginia. She earned an undergraduate degree in Theatre/Speech Communications and a Masters degree in special education. She has directed over twenty theatre productions in her career. Her summer camp "KIDS UNIVERSITY" has been in operation for four years.

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