Writer Grace Hill
Photography courtesy Ciolim Gallery

 
[dropcap]F[/dropcap]or the past 15 years, Victoria Reins has taught Valley students of all ages the skills necessary for creative expression. However, time with her students ultimately inspired Reins to create something of her own. What was conceived was something beyond the canvas. It was a teaching studio in the North Valley she would call Ciolim — Artistry in Motion.

“[I] served on the Scottsdale School board and taught three years at the school in the beginning art program for people who wanted to learn to paint but had no place to go to,” she says. “I brought what I learned from there, north to Desert Mountain and then to Ciolim.”

Ciolim started to come together for Reins about four years ago. After looking for the right space, she finally found a space in Cave Creek where individuals seeking a more intimate art class would find exactly that.

Each class has a limit of eight students, which allows the highly experienced instructors to teach skills of all mediums in a way that is similar to one-on-one instruction. Through the beginner, advanced beginner, intermediate and advanced classes offered, the instructors can focus their instruction based on the students’ specific needs.

“Our concept is to offer small classes with the best instructors that we can find throughout the United States,” explains Reins. “Our instructors have taught many years, and it was important to us that they offer to share important criteria that they have learned through the years. They care.”

Reins also provides open studio sessions every Thursday, which usually have a waiting list. For July, the open studio sessions are scheduled from noon to 4 p.m. July 6, 13, 20 and 27. Beginning in October, individuals looking for a more casual and fun painting class can attend the brushstrokes class, which will be offered one Sunday per month.

“Brushstrokes was established for the person who just wants to spend a fun afternoon painting. All materials are supplied,” says Reins. “We made a conscious effort to upgrade the paintings so that everyone would want to hang them rather than put them in the garage. It takes a bit longer but we have had extremely positive feedback on how they enjoyed the afternoon.”

For those individuals not interested in creating, they can still head to Ciolim to admire the professional art by national artists that Reins features in her gallery.

She says, “Our fine art in the gallery is made up of artists that have established reputations over the years doing museum shows and most of the recognized art venues throughout the United States. They are members of the Western Artists of America, American Women Artists, International Guild of Realism, Oil Painters of America and other prestigious organizations.”

Through the small teaching classes with skilled instructors and the affordable fine art in the gallery, Reins has created “artistry in motion” at Ciolim in every single way.

Ciolim’s summer hours are Tuesdays through Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. They are closed Sundays and Mondays. The next season begins in October and will include 26 classes.

ciolim.com
480-488-7947