K12 Gallery & TEJAS (Teen Educational and Joint Adult Studio) hold daily classes and workshops for Dayton’s children, teenagers and adults.

Dayton’s wonderful art facility for children and teens is gearing up for the new school year. You can’t help but notice K12 Gallery’s colorful building when you’re driving by the corner of South Jefferson Street and Patterson Boulevard. K12 Gallery & TEJAS (Teen Educational and Joint Adult Studio) hold daily classes and workshops for Dayton’s children, teenagers and adults. The organization is celebrating 30 years of service to the Dayton community.

Inside the bright building is an artist-centered regional visual arts center offering innovative visual arts programs for all ages in the Miami Valley. These programs include art classes, in-school and after-school hands-on programs, summer art camps, field trips, professional exhibitions, public art, workshops, community outreach, and art parties for all ages.

“Professional artists also support low-income students, youth on probation, adults with disabilities, incarcerated individuals, and survivors of violence, providing equal access to the educational and healing quality of the arts,” says Creative Marketing Director, Linnea Stevens. “Our members represent geographic diversity and a wide range of interests. We engage talent in the service of the community, leading through the arts to problem-solve.”

More than 30,000 people attended programs and classes through K12 Gallery & TEJAS through the main site and the organization’s various outreach programs.”

Stevens says everyday there’s something new and creative happening. “Whether it’s kids learning the basics of the color wheel or adults mastering a hot glass blow torch, we have programs for every age, every skill set, and nearly every medium,” she says. " We’re also a fantastic venue for local creators to display their work in our gallery. Just this year we’ve had representation from both professional painters and child artists.”

Visitors are encouraged to stop by to view exhibitions, a sales gallery and artists at work in their studios.

WHAT THEY NEED

These new supplies are sorely needed to ensure that young and aspiring artists have the tools they need to express their hopes and dreams in a creative and positive environment,” says Jerri Stanard, founder and CEO.

School Supplies

• Pencils

• Colored pencils

• Electric pencil sharpeners used in 15 schools plus all six studios

• Sharpie markers (black and all colors)

• Push pins

• Staplers and staples

• New computers with big hard drives

• Xerox paper

• Dark room photo paper

• Dark room chemicals

• Street art spray paint

• Matte board

• Scissors

• Rulers

• Masking tape

• Crayons

• Glue

• Markers

• Acrylic / Tempera paint

• Watercolor paints

• Paper (construction, drawing, card-stock, printer)

• Paint brushes

• Masking tape

Cleaning Supplies

• Trash bags

• Paper towels (both paper and cloth)

• Toilet paper

• Windex and disinfectant spray

Food Supplies

• Shelf-stable Snacks

• Popcorn for large popcorn machine

• Cotton candy machine (industrial size)

Donations can be dropped off at K12 Gallery & TEJAS, 341 S. Jefferson St., during normal operating hours: 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.

OTHER WAYS TO HELP

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Meredith Moss writes about Dayton-area nonprofit organizations and their specific needs. If your group has a wish list it would like to share with our readers, contact Meredith: [email protected].

Please include a daytime phone number and a photo that reflects your group’s mission.

Credit: Contributed

About the Author

Meredith Moss has been writing for the Dayton Daily News for decades. She writes "On the Arts” features and the “Make a Difference” column focusing on non-profits. She volunteers and has received the YWCA's Woman of Influence' award and the Humanitarian award from the National Conference of Community and Justice. Email: [email protected]