LOWER EAST SIDE — The Educational Alliance is reopening its nearly 100-year-old art school in the Manny Cantor Center next month, complete with three brand-new studios, two gallery spaces and an expanded curriculum, the organization announced.
“Thousands of people pass through our doors each day, and we’re so thrilled to welcome our art school back in its original space, with newly renovated studios,” said Rabbi Joanna Samuels, executive director of the Manny Cantor Center.
“We hope the school will nurture creative expression and arts appreciation in an inclusive environment and with top-notch programming."
The Educational Alliance’s art school began in 1917 inside its building at 197 East Broadway, but the school had to move out for the past two years while the 100,000-square-foot building was gut-renovated.
The building reopened in February as the $55 million Manny Cantor Center, but construction for the art school did not finish until later, said Emily Aldredge, the art school's director. She said the school is scheduled to reopen Jan. 12.
The new space includes a painting and drawing studio, a ceramic and sculpture studio and a multidisciplinary studio, according to a press release. Each studio has been equipped with brand-new equipment and furniture, Aldredge said.
There will also be two new gallery spaces, which will show work by students, faculty and outside artists, she said.
Classes include figure drawing, sculpture, jewelry making, comic book art and stone carving, Aldredge said.
“I think it’s a pretty unique set of conventional and unconventional classes,” she said. The courses start at $135, she said.
Registration for the winter term, which runs until March, began last week and will continue until 5 p.m. on Jan. 16, according to the school’s website.
