We’ve been hearing about ArtSpace in Shaw for some time, and on August 13 we stopped by during one of their open studios, which go on every Monday. The nonprofit offers classes and studio time to local adults.

Located in the basement of the New Community Church at 614 S Street NW, ArtSpace has one full time staffer, Kristian Whipple, and is largely volunteer driven. Whipple and volunteers offer numerous classes (pottery, drawing, photography, weaving, Photoshop, Flickr, and others) for only $5, and volunteers and students are able to make use of an open studio on Mondays.

Whipple, who previously worked in education, said ArtSpace’s mission was to “make art accessible to the masses,” and pottery teacher Hope Hodges, who was there during the open studio, called it “incredibly valuable.” ArtSpace was “designed to serve the people who live and have lived in Shaw,” Whipple said. He estimated that 75 percent of the people using the space came from within a 15 block radius.

Whipple said classes are once a week for about 8 weeks and are for students of all skill levels. He said 3 to 4 students and volunteers usually come to open studio, which is on a first come-first served basis. The group asks for $5 or some food for people at open studio. When we visited, three other people were there using the loom, darkroom, and so on.