When Carolyn Simon had to relocate the East Side Art Center from Providence to a new building in Pawtucket last year after her husband died, she wasn’t sure if she could keep the art school open.
That’s when a group of her students banded together and helped Simon pack up the studio – including hundreds of paints, brushes and books – to make the move.
“I would not have been able to do it without them in 100 different ways,” Simon said. “They really pushed for me to keep the school going during a time that was really difficult for me.”
Having been in operation for more than 30 years, Simon says a key to continued success is the relationships with students.
“We really care about the students, and they care about us and each other,” Simon said. “We just loved what we did, and I think the people just responded well.”
Throughout the many years in business, hundreds of students have attended classes at East Side Art Center, including some who have been coming all 32 years.
Indeed, Simon says watching students’ growth and their excitement when they’re proud of a piece is her favorite part of teaching.
In fact, Simon said she recalls persuading one of her students who she’s taught for more than a decade to hang his work in the framing shop he ran. At first, the student wasn’t sure if people would like his work, but Simon said he’s now sold several pieces.
“It’s wonderful to see people start and grow,” Simon said. “It’s the enjoyment of doing art and the byproduct, which is something that is part of your or somebody else’s life.”
Simon and her late husband, Don, first opened East Side Art Center in 1992 in a carriage house building he owned on Rochambeau Avenue in Providence. There, Don Simon used to run a small advertising agency, but when his business partner moved out of state, the couple saw an opportunity to start their own venture.
As graduates of Rhode Island School of Design with experience in teaching – and Carolyn Simon being a professional artist herself – opening an independent art school seemed like a very natural transition, she said.
Classes are available for students of all ages, with separate courses for adults and kids, and a capacity of around 10 to 12 students each. Unlike many other art schools, Simon said East Side Art Center has classes available year-round. The classes cover all kinds of topics from watercolor and pastels to acrylic, drawing, printing and mixed media – which is a combination of two mediums.
Previously, Simon said the school hosted art shows in different cafes around town and some with the Rhode Island Watercolor Society. While staff members have been searching for other areas to showcase students’ artwork, Simon says it’s been more difficult to find those places in the past several years.
Now, Simon says, the business is still transitioning into its new space in Pawtucket and she’s hopeful to keep the school going and help more students find pride in their artwork.
OWNER: Carolyn Simon
TYPE OF BUSINESS: Independent art school
LOCATION: 545 Pawtucket Ave., Pawtucket
EMPLOYEES: Five
YEAR FOUNDED: 1992
ANNUAL REVENUE: WND
