Positive Strokes Art School finds new home in downtown Palatine
After an uncertain and rocky couple of years, Marlene Wood is settling into what she considers an artist’s dream setting.
Wood’s Positive Strokes Art School and Gallery has relocated to a ranch-style home at 125 W. Colfax St. near downtown Palatine, site of the former Prudential offices.
“I’ve always been on the outskirts of town, so it’s wonderful to be close to all the action,” Wood said.
Though it’s been open for several weeks, the school will celebrate its grand opening from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, to coincide with the Downtown Palatine Business Association’s annual Holiday Open House and the village’s tree-lighting ceremony.
The event will feature music, refreshments, wine tastings, scholarship raffles, potters, painters and hands-on activities.
Much larger than its former home on Quentin Road, the new location also gives the art school more natural light, ample parking, office space and a basement to separate the ceramics program and associated dust.
There’s also a gallery room dedicated to displaying the work of 11 rotating artists. To introduce them to the community, the school on Dec. 2 will begin hosting monthly First Friday events featuring tours, music and the opportunity to mingle.
Wood couldn’t be happier with the new location, especially considering that not long ago she had no idea know where her school would end up. Just a few months after opening on Quentin Road in 2009, Wood learned plans were in the works to raze the building to make way for a senior assisted-living facility.
The news upset Wood, who put $20,000 into fixing the property. The development plans eventually stalled and Wood was told she could stay for the time being, but she wanted something more permanent.
“It was devastating because I thought we had found our home, but the situation just got way too negative,” Wood said. “Where we are now is just so homey and really fits the bill.”
About 10 instructors specialize in all sorts of mediums at the school, and classes are open to students from four years old to seniors. For more information, call (847) 705-7130 or visit positivestrokesartschool.com.