SECOND STORY STUDIO continued from 25 watercolor. Drop-in children’ s classes introduced a new medium of art each week. Upcoming courses will draw on the expertise and passion of local artists and instructors, Eagleman said.
Arriving at a recent oil painting class, April Barr said Second Story Studio is helping reignite a fire inside her for painting that was dormant for nearly 45 years. Barr said she majored in art in college but worked as a nurse and later a paralegal.“ I’ m 70. I’ m retired, and Kurt helping bring back my love of art is saving me,” she said.“ He’ s an absolutely amazing teacher, and what he’ s doing for the community is wonderful.”
Eagleman’ s vision is for the studio to be“ a living, breathing creative space for artists.”
A series of six themed gallery shop rooms also offer visitors the hand-made, one-of-a-kind work of more than 50 Hoosier artisans: mosaics, wood crafts, ceramics, jewelry, photography, and contemporary and collectible vintage paintings
by notable Brown County artists including Ralph Craig, Charles Barnes, and Joe Shell.
One of Eagleman’ s passions is mentoring other artists and pushing them to the limits of their artistry. He said artists can get trapped trying to create work that they think consumers will buy, which results in pieces that are more generic and less personal.“ I love to push artists into their artistry and encourage them to let me shape how we’ re going to present it to the public,” he said.
The community’ s support of Eagleman’ s reimagined gallery and studio has been energizing for the artist.
“ Things falling into place over and over again really lets me know we’ re on the right track,” he said.“ We have so much rich history that’ s helping push us forward, and I just feel humbled and blessed to continue it on for future generations.”
Second Story Studio is open 11 a. m. to 6 p. m. For more information or to book a class, see www. ssstudio. art. •
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26 Our Brown County • Nov./ Dec. 2024