Art for All Ages
Beginners to accomplished artists find a safe space to create and learn at Flower City Arts Center
By Grace Scism
It’s a Tuesday morning and eight participants of different ages and backgrounds have gathered in front of their pottery wheels to learn the art of wheel throwing at Flower City Arts Center in Rochester.
Introduction to the wheel is just one of the many classes offered at this historic building at 713 Monroe Ave.
The nonprofit was established in 1970 as The Genesee Center for the Arts on Genesee Street. A few years later, Genesee Pottery and the Community Darkroom moved to its current location, a former firehouse that was built in 1895. The side of the building that now holds the Printmaking and Book Arts studios was added in 1905. Inside, one can see where the fire pole was once located and it appears that the kiln room is where the fire hoses were once stored.
Sue Toomey, who teaches Introduction to the Wheel, has a picture of her grandfather, William Jaeger, a fire captain at the same firehouse, standing in front of his fire truck in the front bay that is now the gallery.
“To this day, I will walk up the stairs and there is a smell in the building that all I can think of is the smell of my grandpa’s clothes,” Toomey said.
Toomey started renting studio space at Flower City Arts Center in 1978 after completing her undergraduate degree in art education.
“I was trying to get my portfolio together for grad school at RIT, so I did that here,” she said.
In the meantime, Toomey landed a job teaching art in Webster — the start of a 36-year teaching career. When she retired in 2016, her colleagues gave her a gift certificate to Flower City Arts Center. She came to sign up for studio space, but was soon recruited to teach.
“I have called this my happy place,” said Toomey. “It’s just one of those, you come in and people are just so relaxed. And it’s a joy to be in here, in this space.”
Leslie Kazak is taking Toomey’s Introduction to the Wheel class. “Way back in high school, I did some pottery making and I really enjoyed it,” she said. “And so I’m getting close to retirement and I read this article about how to be successful in retirement. It said to find those hobbies now, maybe go back to something you liked to do before and it might stick. So here I am.”
A coworker was taking a class at Flower City Arts Center and mentioned it to Kazak, piquing her interest. “I’d like to create a few good pieces of pottery, but I also enjoy meeting new people who have similar interests,” she said. “And who knows where that may lead. It could lead to new friendships.”
Lynn Musgraves is also new to Flower City Arts Center.
She heard about the Introduction to the Wheel class from her friend, Greg Robbins, who encouraged her to sign up. Musgraves is fairly new to the Rochester area, moving here to be closer to her son and thought the class would be a good place to meet people.
“I’m a true beginner and I’m not an artist, but I appreciate art and would have loved to have been an artist,” said Musgraves. “I also enjoy learning new skills and think I will continue to explore new art classes.”
Center offers 24/7 access
Flower City Arts Center has 67 studio artists and 73 associate artists using the studio and teaches more than 500 students each year. In addition to pottery classes, the center offers classes in photography, printing, audio engineering, book binding, drawing and painting and much more.
Generous studio hours allow students ample time to practice their craft outside of class. There are also many offerings for children and teens.
VIVA (Vitality in the Visual Arts) classes are open to adults over 55 who are interested in exploring the arts.
“Our instructors are artists, some professionally and some have other careers,” said Kate Whorton, program coordinator and ceramics director. “Our instructors must have experience and proficiency, and embrace our mission of art for all people.”
Greg Robbins, a retired theatrical designer, has taken several classes at Flower City Arts, including Handbuilding Pottery, Creative LinoCut, Introduction to Screen Printing, Gelli Plate Printing, Printmaking, and now Introduction to the Wheel.
“Sue Toomey is an excellent instructor,” said Robbins. “She is familiar with common mistakes and has solutions to offer…she gives individual attention to everyone in the class and meets the student at whatever level they’re at.”
In addition to classes, the center offers a residency program where two to five artists from around the country spend a year immersed in their field of study and infuse the students with new ideas, energy and techniques. They have an exhibition at the conclusion of their residency that showcases their body of work.
The center also offers studio artists 24-7 access to the 4,000 square foot space for $75 per month. Associate artists may use the studio spaces during office hours for $15 per month. Both require a yearly membership.
Membership is $50 per year for students and seniors, $60 for individuals and $80 for a household.
Members receive discounts on classes and workshops and have the opportunity to showcase their work in the annual member’s exhibition. Class tuition assistance is available to adults and youth.
The center also partners with Writers and Books just down the street on University Avenue for its SummerWrite program for youth. SummerWrite provides youth with experiences combining storytelling, hands-on art making and social justice.
Most recently the center partnered with Lollypop Farm for the “Little Free Pet Pantry” doghouse located outside of Flower City Arts Center.
Donations of pet food and supplies can be made and are available to those in need.
“Just how much this place means to so many people in Rochester is always amazing to me,” said Whorton. “People that have had long histories in the area and people that just move into the area and find us.”
Those interested in learning more about Flower City Arts Center may tour the facility during office hours.
“You don’t know what’s going on behind these doors until you come in and see all of the classes and artist talks and gallery shows and everything that’s going on,” said Whorton.
Visit FlowerCityArts.org for office hours and more information about classes, workshops and events.
Free street parking is available on Monroe Ave. and the surrounding side streets and in the lot across the street at Blessed Sacrament Church.