Art studio helps talented youth conquer obstacles By MATT ARMES Staff Writer
For the boys and girls who love art and long to develop their talents as gifted artists, there's no better place to develop their gift than right here.
More Than A Conqueror Art Studio, also known as MTC Art Studio and located at 3501 Moylan Drive, will hold its third annual art awards banquet Sunday from 3 to 5:30 p.m. at Harmony Hall Regional Center in Ft. Washington to celebrate its students' achievements.
Mavis Turner, former elementary school art teacher and founder of the local nonprofit organization, said the banquet would reward the hardest working kids for their efforts.
"We'll hand out awards for the most improved student, the most dedicated and the rising star," she said.
Turner added that college scholarships would be awarded to the program's two seniors to help them pursue a degree and the career of their dreams, similar to how Turner created the studio five years ago.
During her four years of teaching in two parochial schools, Turner said that in every classroom, each consisting of 15-18 students, she found at least two or three gifted students that didn't have an outlet for their artistic talents.
"I knew the creative abilities were there in a few of the students, but there wasn't a place for the kids to cultivate them," she said, which prompted her to create an art studio where gifted visual art students could do just that.
Turner began the studio with two students. She explained that they learn to "conquer" the obstacles in their lives and become a positive component in their community through the use of their artistic talent.
The program is built around three tiers: character, entrepreneurship and community service, all of which are important traits within a young art student, Turner said.
"I know that a lot of kids come into the studio with low self-esteem, but if they have opportunities to develop their gifts and do something they enjoy, their character will grow," she explained.
Turner said that students encounter the role of entrepreneurship when their artwork is eventually placed on greeting cards or a calendar, which helps them understand how to market themselves as artists.
"We also tell them that it's healthier to give back to the community because the community gives to you," she added.
"We did a workshop for some terminally ill patients at a children's hospital, and it's such a great reward to see how the students change because of that."
Students at MTC Art Studios participate in various local art exhibits in the Washington, D.C., area, as well as Prince George's and Anne Arundel counties.
They also compete in the NAACP Act-So competition, which offers high school students the chance to contend in 25 categories of performing arts.
"It's definitely one of the great highlights of our whole year," Turner said. "Whether it's singing or acting or dancing, it's a great way for students to experience that kind of competition."
The steady growth of the studio's popularity has led to a positive response from students involved with the program.
"They don't want to go home!" Turner laughed. "We go on field trips and all kinds of activities, and they never get tired of coming. They even want to bring their friends!"
Aside from a one-month break during the summer, Turner said the program is offered year-round and is accepting students of all ages, even as young as 4.
But, she added, there is one mandatory requirement students must meet in order to gain acceptance into the program.
"Their gift has to be innate, and they must have a love for art," she said. "If you place a nongifted child next to a gifted child and they can't do some of the exercises, it tears them down."
Turner went on to say that the studio has 25 students enrolled, but enrollment tends to fluctuate due to a student's family circumstances or financial reasons.
"We want to do more within the program, and we're always looking for ways to expand," she said.
The banquet Sunday is free to the public and will feature world-renowned artist Poncho Brown as the speaker.
"I'm very proud of the fact that these kids learn how to see art from a professional standpoint," Turner said. "And when we go on college tours to see the art there, the students are realizing, 'Hey, that could be me!' "
Those interested in attending or learning about the program may call Turner at 301-262-3522 or 240-643-8965.
