Monroe Street Fine Arts Center

"Monroe Street center celebrates the arts year-round"
by Angela Mihm Nigro for "Neighbors" (Capitol Times, Madison, Wisconsin)
(article republished with permission from Neighbors/Capital Newspapers)

From her “perch” in the Monroe Street Fine Arts Center (MSFAC), executive director, Jen Roth, enjoys a bird’s eye view of the center’s vibrant community. “This is one happening place,” she says. Indeed, bustling and growing, MSFAC nurtures the artist in each of us.

Founded in 1997 by two local artists, Barbara Goy and Anne McDermott, MSFAC’s success is rooted in an active board, volunteers, dedicated staff, and professional faculty artists. It is the kind of place where “everyone pitches in, in every sort of way,” Roth says. Through their dedication, the folks at MSFAC are touching the lives of more than 1,000 students annually!

In the spirit of lifelong learning, there are no age limits to taking classes, Roth says and the programming calendar reflects this philosophy. Chock-full of music, art, or drama classes for wee ones, to Super Saturdays where preschool and elementary school kids create themed art projects, to Wednesday evening adult art appreciation, there truly is something for everyone.

MSFAC offers private, individual music lessons taught by practicing musicians on the piano, violin, cello, flute, recorder, trumpet, guitar, and even harmonica. Using the child-centered, parent-involved Suzuki instruction method for piano and strings, MSFAC welcomes children as young as three. “Our goal with Suzuki is to expose children to as much as possible as early as possible,” Roth explains.

Private art instruction, by professional artists, is also available in drawing, easel painting, oil, pastel, sculpture, and printmaking. Paced to match student learning, the instructors focus on technique, use of tools and materials and encourage the development of personal style.

Helping young people connect is another focus at MSFAC. Through programs like “Garage Band,” kids (ages 10-14) with at least one year of experience, with an interest in guitar, keyboard, drums, and vocals get together to learn new songs and rehearsal techniques. Or, through “Comedy Improv,” your budding comedian develops a sense of humor, confidence, and spontaneity through theatre games and techniques.

On October 25 and 26, when area public schools are off, MSFAC offers energetic programming on decorating interesting masks, tie-dyeing t-shirts, or making your own Halloween costume. Also on these dates are sessions on creating a comic book series, writing poetry, and producing digital videos.

Everyday at MSFAC, Roth sees an amazing exchange of energy, ideas, and encouragement. It happens, she says, “Teacher to teacher, teacher to student, student to student. The best part is that seeds are being planted and we have no idea how far they will take us.”

Monroe Street Fine Arts Center
	"Monroe Street center celebrates the arts year-round" by Angela Mihm Nigro for "Neighbors" (Capitol Times, Madison, Wisconsin) (article republished with permission from Neighbors/Capital Newspapers) From her “perch” in the Monroe Street Fine Arts Center (MSFAC), executive director, Jen Roth, enjoys a bird’s eye view of the center’s vibrant community. “This is one happening place,” she says. Indeed, bustling and growing, MSFAC nurtures the artist in each of us. Founded in 1997 by two local artists, Barbara Goy and Anne McDermott, MSFAC’s success is rooted in an active board, volunteers, dedicated staff, and professional faculty artists. It is the kind of place where “everyone pitches in, in every sort of way,” Roth says. Through their dedication, the folks at MSFAC are touching the lives of more than 1,000 students annually! In the spirit of lifelong learning, there are no age limits to taking classes, Roth says and the programming calendar reflects this philosophy. Chock-full of music, art, or drama classes for wee ones, to Super Saturdays where preschool and elementary school kids create themed art projects, to Wednesday evening adult art appreciation, there truly is something for everyone. MSFAC offers private, individual music lessons taught by practicing musicians on the piano, violin, cello, flute, recorder, trumpet, guitar, and even harmonica. Using the child-centered, parent-involved Suzuki instruction method for piano and strings, MSFAC welcomes children as young as three. “Our goal with Suzuki is to expose children to as much as possible as early as possible,” Roth explains. Private art instruction, by professional artists, is also available in drawing, easel painting, oil, pastel, sculpture, and printmaking. Paced to match student learning, the instructors focus on technique, use of tools and materials and encourage the development of personal style. Helping young people connect is another focus at MSFAC. Through programs like “Garage Band,” kids (ages 10-14) with at least one year of experience, with an interest in guitar, keyboard, drums, and vocals get together to learn new songs and rehearsal techniques. Or, through “Comedy Improv,” your budding comedian develops a sense of humor, confidence, and spontaneity through theatre games and techniques. On October 25 and 26, when area public schools are off, MSFAC offers energetic programming on decorating interesting masks, tie-dyeing t-shirts, or making your own Halloween costume. Also on these dates are sessions on creating a comic book series, writing poetry, and producing digital videos. Everyday at MSFAC, Roth sees an amazing exchange of energy, ideas, and encouragement. It happens, she says, “Teacher to teacher, teacher to student, student to student. The best part is that seeds are being planted and we have no idea how far they will take us.”
Monroe Street Fine Arts Center Monroe Street Fine Arts Center 2526 Monroe Street, Madison, WI 53711 (608) 232-1510 DHTML Menu By Milonic JavaScript Site created and maintained by MSFAC. Copyright © 2008 MSFAC. All Rights Reserved.