What are Mrs Pidgeon's Credentials?
Mrs Pidgeon has an MFA ( Master of Fine Arts Degree) from UNC Greensboro. This degree allows her to teach on the college level. Mrs Pidgeon received her BA in Art from College of Charleston in 1999. She then went on to get the highest art degree you can acquire ....an MFA from UNC Greensboro in 2001. Since earning her degree in 2001 Mrs Pidgeon has been teaching private art lessons in her studio to both adults and children. She has worked for Charleston County Community Education teaching adults, as well as been the Youth Art instructor for The City of Charleston at The James Island Rec Center. In addition to that she has also worked for The Artist Loft in Mt Pleasant teaching homeschoolers. Mrs Pidgeon has primarily been doing photography since the birth of her daughter in 2007. Photography was an easy art form with a small child in tow. Recently Mrs Pidgeon has decided to fully focus on her own business and get a definitive location to be able to offer classes that are in keeping with her own schedule as well as preference in the area of subject matter. Currently her business is still mobile but she offers the majority of her classes on James Island at 1613 Fort Johnson Rd at The Masonic Lodge building.
Does the cost of the class cover the items I need such as paper ,brushes or paints,etc ?
No, it does not except with some children oriented classes such as Art After School. Mrs Pidgeon tries to keep the cost of the classes lower than usual so the students can purchase items they choose to thier own budget/criteria. Mrs Pidgeon will give a supply list that the students can push or pull in whichever direction they choose....toward frugality or toward high end quality products. Mrs Pidgeon is not responsible for any materials left behind by the student. Mrs Pidgeon never had an art class that covered the cost of materials herself so this is the norm in the art instruction field. Plus the up side is that you get to take the materials home. If the paint is for everyone it stays with the instructor at the end of the night so it is a win win in the end really anyway. Some children classes the materials are included because the childrens classes lean toward arts/crafts and are lesser quality than adult materials because less serious nature of the instruction. Also the class sizes tend to be bigger thus justifying the cost of the classes.
Frequently asked questions
What are the various classes/workshops The Studio Art Center offers?
The Studio Art Center offers courses in Drawing, Painting(Acrylic/Oil/Watercolor), Printmaking, Sculpture, Photography and Art History and various other art topics. The locations are Downtown, West Ashley, James Island and Mount Pleasant and locations/times vary from month to month due to the availability of the spaces rented for use. Students take classes at their own risk. The Studio Art Center is not responsible for any personal injury or items left behind on the various rental properties. In Jan 2016, TSAC will begin artist workshops hosted by various artists on mediums they use.
What if I want to join a class once the registration is over? Is that possible? Can I show up the first night if my friend is taking the class?What forms of payment does The Studio Art Center accept?
Studio Art Center is happy to have as many students as a space can hold but you have to make sure that a class has filled. In order to have a class fill, a minimum number of attendees must register and that money is paid to the facility to use the space. Therefore, if you wait and don't register and there are not enough participants a class will cancel. However, if the minimum number of attendees is met then more in attendance is fine. That being said we try to keep class size small.
Mrs Pidgeon can take Visa,Mastercard, American Express and Discover in person or online or by phone. So if your friend is sure the class has filled then a unregistered friend can come but must pay before participating.
What is your refund policy? Can I get my money back if I am not happy?
The Studio Art Center has adopted the same policy as the Gibbes Museum of Art:
The Studio Art Center will not refund money once the classes have begun. Payments have to be made to hold the facilities to have class and the funds are tied up in that area and not available. If a student cancels up until the registration deadline the full refund will be given minus a $10 registration fee. Students are not enrolled until full payment has been received. No make up days for missed absenses on the part of the student unless the teacher decides to accomodate student with her personal schedule.