ERIN EDGEMON, Business Editor
Posted: Sunday, July 12, 2009 8:02 am

Jennifer Richardson recently started offering a variety of art classes at her own studio, Golden House Studio.

Jennifer Richardson has a love for art that she wants to share with people of all ages.

The former art education coordinator at the Center for the Arts has opened her own art education studio, Golden House Studio.

Painted a golden yellow tone, the small studio behind her home is lined with famous images from famous artists so she can teach her students more.

Funny thing is Richardson never saw herself as a teacher.

“I never thought I would be a teacher,” she said. Richardson earned her bachelor’s degree in art history from the University of Memphis and her master’s degree in art history from George Washington University.

Richardson also teaches at the Art Institute of Tennessee-Nashville.

Following college, Richardson spent several years working as a fine art specialist with Sloans and Kenyon Auctioneers in Maryland.

“It was like (the television show) Antiques Roadshow,” she said.

Since moving to Murfreesboro about two years ago, Richardson has seen a demand for art education and classical training in art in Rutherford County.

“At the center, we constantly had people asking for art classes,” she said.

Art education in schools tend to be more creative and expressive, Richardson said. Her classes provide more classical training in drawing and of art history.

Golden House Studios offers group classes, Art for All, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The time of the classes will be determined by the students; and Art for One classes, which are private one-on-one sessions to allow individuals to explore their own artistic interests.

Bob Mifflin signed his grandchildren up for art lessons at the Golden House Studio after they had lessons with Richardson at the Center for the Arts.

“We were very pleased not only with Jennifer's ability to teach the techniques, style, etc., but her warm and calm personality was exemplified in such a manner that the children responded in a very positive way,” he said. We asked Jennifer to continue with lessons at her studio after the Center For the Arts program ended.”

Mifflin said he would “highly recommend” Richardson’s classes to anyone.

The ABCs of Art will be offered. This is a series of classes to introduce preschoolers to famous works of art while playing with clay, watercolors, tempera, pastels and more.

Another class teaches children ages 5-11 the basic foundations of art, including a deep understanding of color, pattern, texture and storytelling through art.

Beginning drawing classes will be offered for anyone 10 years of age and older.

Believe it or not, but Richardson said anyone can learn how to draw.

“If you can sign your name, then you can draw,” she said. “The trick is looking at something and being able to translate that to paper.”

The last class, Art Smart, is an art appreciation series that will help students learn about artists, works of art and major artistic movements.

Richardson said there should be a demand for learning about art.

“(People) need to be able to understand the history of the visual image,” she said.

Richardson never saw herself as owning her own business either.

She said it seemed like a natural fit to open her studio after she left the Center of the Arts.

“When I left (the Center), the thing I missed most was giving lessons,” Richardson said.

Erin Edgemon can be reached at 869-0812 and at eedgemon@murfreesboropost.com.



For more info:

Call Golden House Studio at 339-7353 or visit www.goldenhousestudio.com.