BY ANDREW OCHAL
Edited January 15, 2021, originally released October 14, 2020,
The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the interviewee, and not necessarily that of Arlene’s Artist Materials. Please contact us with any questions.
No can say that we are not living in trying times. Everyday something new happens to add to the stresses of an already turbulent world. What we all need is a way to process emotions and constructively work through the craziness of both 2020 and 2021. Arlene’s Artist Materials and the Atelier at Arlene’s have the answer in the form of an online class, Art Journaling for Artists, Writers and Photographers with Carolyn DiFiori-Hopkins. This class is designed to help people take what’s happening in our lives and work through it using creativity. Not a visual artist? That’s not a problem. The class is for everyone from creative backgrounds. It may not be therapy but it sure is close. Artists, writers, photographers and musicians can even use the class as a launchpad to generate ideas for future projects.
“2020 was though and 2021 and turning out to be more of the same. We need an online classes like Art Journaling for Artists, Writers and Photographers.” says Andrew Ochal, the director of the Atelier at Arlene’s program. He goes on to say “Carolyn is a very talented artist and educator and is as deeply committed to supporting the local arts community as we are at Arlene’s. When scheduling the class, we talked about the advantages of being able to take the extraordinary stresses of everything going on around us and processing them using creatively, which is so cathartic. All I can think of is the quote from Carrie Fisher ‘Take your broken heart, make it into art.’”
Art Journaling for Artists, Writers and Photographers with Carolyn DiFiori-Hopkins is scheduled on Tuesdays February 16th, 23rd, March 2 and 9th, from 7 to 9pm and limited to 10 students. Pre-registration is required to attend all classes and workshops at Arlene’s. Space is limited so please register soon. Register online at arlenesartist.com. Otherwise, please come into the store, at 57 Fuller Rd Albany NY, or call us, (518) 482-8881, to reserve your space.
About Arlene’s Artist Materials: Arlene's Artist Materials started out as a ceramic studio in 1960, originally located in a small 500 sq ft store on Madison Ave. Arlene's outgrew their original store and moved to its current location at 57 Fuller Road, Albany, NY (with over 10,000 sq ft) in 1974. Along with fine art supplies we carry handmade art papers, unique journals and artsy novelties in the gift section of our store. You'll find unexpected gift ideas and things you can transform into treasures. Everyone on staff at Arlene's is also an artist, so we are able to answer any of your questions. If we don't know we will try as hard as we can to get you the answer. As an independent art supply store, we feel a special connection to the arts community in the Capital District. Our relationship with the artists who patronize Arlene's is strengthened by the program that we offer at the store.
About Atelier at Arlene's: The Atelier at Arlene's is dedicated to fostering the creativity of our community since 2015. We pride ourselves in bringing the highest level of art education to every student while providing a comfortable safe place for students to grow. Classes and workshops are kept small ensuring everyone receives personalized instruction while still taking advantage of working in a group. Topics range over a wide variety of creative pursuits and are geared to all experience levels.
About Carolyn DiFiori Hopkins: Carolyn DiFiori Hopkins was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was raised in Philadelphia and Haddon Heights, New Jersey. She Currently resides in the Eagle Hill section of Albany, NY. She received her MFA and MA from the State University of New York at Albany and attended Rutgers University and Philadelphia College of Art for undergraduate school. Her work has been exhibited widely. She is an award-winning artist whose work is in various private and public collections. www.carolyndifiorihopkins.com