New Arts Studio in Sharon Creates Inspiration Everywhere

The New Art Studio in Sharon opened its doors a little over four years ago, but it was a long time in the making.

Run by Diane Sher, the studio features herself and two other artists for teachers. Sher

 said the main thing they try to focus on is developing their students’ creativity rather than just their style.

“We might look at a painting of Van Gogh’s and talk about Starry Night,” Sher said. “We ask what do you think Gogh was thinking when he was doing that painting? Look at the orange and green and wonder if he put those particular colors in for a reason. I will give the children pallets and paint and canvas and let them creat their own starry night based on their imagination.”

She said it’s a more beneficial way of teaching art rather than just copying a particular artist.

“I tell them not to copy Van Gogh; it’s about creating their own Starry Night based on their own imagination and experiences,” Sher said.

Sher works with Carolyn Shedd and Elaine Levin, who are both accomplished artists themselves. Levin used to teach at the Norwood High School and works with students painting and drawing.  Shedd teachers pottery both in Sharon and at the Potters Place in Walpole.

“I could not do this by myself,” Sher said. “Carolyn and Elaine are huge parts of this program and they make it that much more fun to come to work.”

Sher said she first started painting when she was a child with her grandmother. She said from that point on she knew she wanted to work with art.

“She set me up on an easel right next to her,” Sher said.

Sher said she has a masters in art therapy and worked in a preschool art program for 20 years at the Preschool Learning Center. She has more than 41 years experience in art teaching.

The studio itself first started in the basement of the Gallery in the Square, where Mike Bossin showed off work of various artists. When the gallery closed, he helped set them up in their current location on Pond Street.

“He found this place for us, and he and his son Josh assisted with the construction and the painting,” Sher said. “The two of them set us up during February vacation in 2009 and we were up and running in a week. We didn’t miss a beat.”

The New Arts Studio is located on 61 Pond St. and is open by appointment. The studio’s Web site is www.newartssharon.com.