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Nodd's Review As you drive past the Parkside Business Center on Hall Blvd, the thought of turning down Nimbus to see what's in there probably never crossed your mind. It sure never crossed mine. But that was before I discovered the My Masterpiece Art Studio. Like the inside of a geode, this studio literally sparkles to life when you enter the front door while outside the surroundings look like, well, a business park.
So what exactly ‘sparkles to life' you ask? Well all the masterpieces, of course. From pottery to paintings to drawings and even something they call "collage in a box". The walls are full of these wonderful gems but you want to know what makes them sparkle? It's that each one is the personal masterpiece of a young and creative mind. "Anything you create can be your masterpiece," says Kaylin Dodge, part owner and native Portland resident. "This is an outlet for kids that they can't readily get in schools these days." And she's right. Outside of a college class, it seems like there aren't many places where kids can get a complete art experience. But at My Masterpiece Art Studio, they offer both structured classes to learn the basics and open studio where kids can let their imaginations go. "I remember one boy saying ‘I love art because I'm never wrong'" Kaylin told me, "and this to me is the beauty of what art can offer and teach to a young mind." Wow, what a concept for kid: an activity where there is no wrong answer!
But let me introduce the other owner of My Masterpiece, Ilsa Coffman. "As the child of two very artistic parents, I learned to love art from an early age," says Ilsa, "and this is something I want everyone to have a chance to experience, children especially but adults too." And My Masterpiece does just that. Many parents don't just drop off their kids. They participate and enjoy the experience together as a family activity. A new trend maybe? Art as entertainment?
Yes, art as entertainment! And I can shout this out with conviction to all of Beaverton because my wife and I went and had the most enjoyable time getting our hands dirty playing with clay. Time just flew by as we laughed and molded two doggie dishes for our little puppy Ginger. There was no time limit and no pressure... we were free to create. So we molded our dishes, came back in a week and then glazed them purple and green. And when all was said and done, we had hours of fun and a pair of cute dog dishes all for less than the price of a trip to the movies (without popcorn!). Now, I hold no illusions that my little dish in the shape of a bone could win any prizes (even at the 5th grade level) but you know what, to me (and Ginger) my bowl is priceless and I love it. It's My Masterpiece.
What kind of Masterpiece can you make? Who We Are
 My Masterpiece Art Studio has been offering art enrichment experiences for children for three years.
Our work as MMAS teachers and directors has been profiled in the national news media. Together, we bring to the easel years of experience. Our diverse backgrounds include fine arts and art history instruction, art curriculum development, award winning and nationally published design work, a K-6 school educator. Yes, we are moms to a combined total of six children, ages 3-14, whose artistic interests range from finger-painting, cartooning to graphic design.
Kaylin Dodge & Ilse Coffman
MMAS Directors
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My Masterpiece Art Studio
