A discussion about the work of artist Giana Putrino at Anthony Brunelli Fine Arts, 2015

Alisha discusses the hyperrealist sculptural work of Canadian artist, Jamie Salmon, Anthony Brunelli Fine Arts, 2016

KAPOW! Art Studio

Binghamton, New York

2014 - 2021

In July 2014, I opened up a community art school in downtown Binghamton, NY, named KAPOW! It is a Montessori-inspired space for children that takes a holistic, individualized, skill-building approach for all ages.

After completing my BFA in Printmaking at Binghamton University, I fell into a teaching artist position at the former Susquehanna School at Southbridge, an alternative school inspired by the developmental research of John Dewey, Jean Piaget, and Lev Vygotsky. My first morning as an educator, in a classroom full of eager children, I was terrified but excited to see what I could create for them so that they could in turn create from an authentic place of wonder and play. Our first day of school started the morning of Sept 11, 2001. We moved through the day cautiously, but lovingly, doing our best to understand our own shock and grief. The world was never the same. I committed to keep exploring alongside the kids to see what the world was about. In turn, we grew alongside one another. In time, I was convinced that I needed to work on my master’s degree in education science and I began that journey soon after.

The Susquehanna school closed in 2007, I had just given birth to my daughter (the original ‘KAPOW kid’), and soon after finished my master’s degree. After teaching public school and some higher education for a handful of time, I found the most enjoyment in teaching private lessons. What began as a series of private lessons with beloved kids and adults in my old light-filled studio space in a defunct factory, coupled with my interests in alternative art education, came the concept and impetus for KAPOW.

KAPOW!’s mission is to supplement, extend, and deepen the art education experience; not only to prepare our kids to become life-long learners and critical thinkers capable of adapting in the 21st century, but also to prepare them to be artists, creative makers, and innovators.

We honor the work of John Dewey, Maria Montessori, Jean Piaget, Howard Gardner, Abigail Housen, Rudolph Steiner, Carol Dweck, and many other education/ human development research figures.

We use the teaching methodology, Visual Thinking Strategies, and we use this in our programs. We partner with Anthony Brunelli Fine Arts (just below our classroom) to view international contemporary works of art and talk ‘VTS’, which not only enriches aesthetic development, but also reading, writing, and visual literacy through it’s evidence-based approach.

We teach with a focus on multi-disciplinary approaches to art-making. We use the principles of design in all of my teaching to build a strong foundation of understanding in each student, child through adult. We believe that the core behaviors for success are practice, observation, meaningful interaction, and reflection. We believe in cultivating a growth mindset. Through KAPOW! we hope to promote aesthetic understanding and appreciation that has both depth and resonance.

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Closing Statement, 2021: It is time for new adventures, so thank you to all the families, hundreds of students, and several organizations that have supported KAPOW! during it’s fantastic 7 year run! So many memories making incredible art.

Thank you to my incredible art instructors, Michelle Schleider, Courtney Smith, Carly Barvinchak, Emily Petko, Sarah Horan, Christina Muscatello (Memory Maker Project), Kate Patchett (Art Spa, Tula Wellness), Carrie Anne Button, John Brunelli (director, Anthony Brunelli Fine Arts), and our studio helpers.

You guys made the magic every day in the classroom, you were the strongest crew of kindness, silliness, compassion, and creativity that anyone could ask for <3

KAPOW! IN THE NEWS:

Triple Cities Carousel Magazine | KAPOW! Explodes onto the Binghamton Art Scene

NewsChannel 34 | Art Studio Allows for Learning and Fun

The Press & Sun Bulletin | KAPOW! Art Studio offers hands-on 'air painting' activities at the Roberson Museum

The Ithaca Journal | Art Classes for Adults

The Press & Sun Bulletin | KAPOW! is a Studio with Punch

Some noteworthy programs:

Weekly Art Clubs for Kids and Teens, Adult Lesson Shares
Seasonal and Summer Camps for Kids and Teens - thematic (Photography, Oil painting at the Ross Park Zoo, Pets, Foods, Still Life, Illustrations, Character creation, Portraits, Harry Potter, Spring Flowers, Calligraphy, Sculpture, Clay, Printmaking…)
ARTifact Ceramic Bar (an offshoot of KAPOW!) - ceramic and glass painting special events and open paint hours
Workshops for teens and adults with Michelle Schleider, Joseph Daily, Rich Harrington, etc.
Art Spa with Kate Patchett of Tula Wellness - guided meditations and visualizations, watercolor, inspired foods, hand massage