Stephanie Benetua, an art enthusiast and community leader, recently re-opened her art studio, Gem Studio, in the Mission neighborhood of San Francisco. The studio, which was previously known as Sketchbook Studio, has been a staple in the community for the past five years, providing art education and community events for all ages.
When the previous art studio in the Mission closed its doors, Stephanie saw an opportunity to open her own studio and keep the space dedicated to the arts. She opened Sketchbook Studio with a colleague, but as time passed, the partners went their separate ways. Despite the challenges, Stephanie persevered and re-opened the studio as Gem Studio.
The new name, Gem Studio, is an acronym for "Grow, Explore, Make," and reflects Stephanie's goal of helping the neighborhood grow and explore their creativity. The studio is not only a place for art education but also a hub for community events and collaborations with artists and creators. "I want to give back to the community and provide a space where people can come and express themselves," Stephanie says. "Art is such a powerful tool for self-expression and personal growth, and I am so excited to be able to offer that to the community."
In addition to after-school classes and holiday camps, Stephanie plans to expand the studio's offerings to include adult classes and bimonthly events where parents and young adults can come in and make something on a Thursday evening. She also wants to give her artist friends the opportunity to host pop-up events in the studio.
"I want to make this more of kind of an arts hub where I can do a little bit more collaborating with my artists, friends or other creators in the community. It's such a great space," Stephanie says. "I want to make it more inclusive of everyone else in the community."
Gem Studio is located in the heart of the Mission neighborhood, and Stephanie is proud to be a part of the vibrant life she is surrounded by. "There's so many families in this area, there's so many schools and so it's like, you know, I was a kid who didn't really get to do a whole lot of art in school, or when I was at that age. And so for me this is such a magical space, because I want to be able to give that opportunity to kids of all ages," she says.
Stephanie's dedication to the community and her passion for the arts make her a valuable asset to the Mission neighborhood, and her studio a must-visit destination for anyone interested in art education and community events. Check out her schedule on the Gem Studio website to look at what adult and children classes she is offering!
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