Art Mundo Center for Creative Expression

The Art Mundo Center for Creative Expression, a not-for-profit community arts education organization, is located in Historic Downtown Ft. Pierce, FL. at the ArtBank, 111 Orange Ave. Co-founders Allie Comer, Sherry Horton, Ginny Piech Street and Deena Wynne began talking seriously about their dream in December 2007 and refined their ideas and goals at weekly meetings through the first part of 2008. Art Mundo incorporated in August 2008 and obtained its 501 (c) 3 status in January , 2009.. Its first educational event was a series of workshops, Discover the Artist Within, held in conjunction with the Backus Museum's annual Tribute to Backus exhibition this past March.

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The Community Painting completed during the two days of Discover the Artist Within workshops. Artist Anita Prentice encouraged everyone who attended to paint a little on this large canvas. All ages participated and their enthusiasm is evident in the inclusion of the frame!

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The original concept was for classes and workshops to be held at various venues around our community, while raising funds to find and secure a location. Then - thanks to the vision and generosity of Leo Henriguez, who developed The Renaissance Center and is the owner of the former SunTrust building, Art Mundo found its location on the bottom floor of the place now known as the ArtBank!

Soft exhibitions are planned for the wide halls and open spaces. Art Mundo will oversee operations at the ArtBank and plans to sponsor its educational offerings at this location. Classes began June 27 and open studios have been held every Wednesday evening since June 17. Upcoming courses and workshops include drawing, ceramics, basket making, mixed media and collage, papermaking, oil painting, acrylics and watercolor, fiber arts, wood working, book arts, sculpture, jewelry making, weaving, photography, printmaking and fine crafts. A professional series for artists is also planned with instruction in matting and framing, photoshop skills and marketing. Arts programs especially for children and school exhibits are also part of Art Mundo's plans for the future. For information on current and future classes see Art Mundo's blog: www.art-mundo.blogspot.com

Art Mundo's aim is to provide a supportive and engaging environment for people of all ages and backgrounds to create, study and present art. The organization is looking forward to the opportunity of providing a central resource for the arts community and envisions the ArtBank in historic downtown Ft Pierce as being an additional cultural draw for residents and visitors alike. Art Mundo, in conjunction with the ArtBank, intends to compliment the already thriving art community in the Treasure Coast area, with a broader reach planned for the future. "This venture has the potential of becoming an art center like the Torpedo Factory of Alexandria, VA, said Art Mundo co-founder Deena Wynne. We are so pleased to be a part of this endeavor with Leo Henriquez"

At this time, several of the studio spaces have been rented and there are still many spaces of varying sizes and costs still available. Currently, the ArtBank, located at 111 Orange Ave. is open Tuesdays 2:30 pm to 5 pm and Thursdays 1:30 pm. to 5 pm and also by appointment. Call 201-1605 or 216-2067 for more information. Volunteers welcome! The ArtBank will also be
open during the downtown Art Walks on the second Wednesday of every month and every Wednesday for Open Studios from 5 pm until 8 pm.

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TCWAA is excited to announce that
we will be holding our September get together
at Art Mundo on September 26th!

Carmen will be teaching a mini Spill It!™ Workshop
from 3:30 - 5:00 followed by an
Open Studio at 6:00!

Come for one session or come for both!

Bring something creative to work on
and we'll get our art on...
TCWAA and Art Mundo style!

Hope to see you all there!
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