Cubism, Blue Period, Or Papier Mache Animals: Private Picassos Opens For The Family
One of the newest 5th Avenue stores opened up on Saturday, October 17 — and the place was packed.
Private Picassos (237 5th Avenue between President and Carroll Streets) — which was founded as a mobile art studio for 10 years — now features its first storefront.
The opening happened rather fast. Founder and director Valeen Bhat told us they signed their lease in early September.
The mobile studio focused on providing custom arts classes in people’s homes, schools, birthday parties, as well as providing museum tour experiences.
The back of the store serves as a workspace area for parents and children to create art projects. In addition, it’s a retail store. “It’s important to support small businesses, so I buy our products from places such as Yellow Owl Workshop in San Francisco.” In addition, you can find Toobalink art products created by local artist Will Sakran.
Bhat says she wants to focus not only on the child’s experience, but on the experience of the parent as well. “This isn’t a place where you’re going to hear us play ‘Old McDonald’ over and over again. My hope is that parents will collaborate with their kids and be able to have a genuine art experience as well.”
The store offers a series of products that you can select, including DIY art kits. Bhat explains that the kits can be built at the store, or taken home to work on there. “You can even start them here, pack the kit up if you’re not finished, and take them home with you,” says Bhat.
Bhat is an artist and educator who has had a decade to prepare for this type of business format. “My parents were artists, so I’ve always grown up around it,” she tells us. She received a BFA and Master’s Degree both in Art & Design Education from Pratt Institute.
Bhat and her husband lived in Park Slope for five years, moving in early 2015 to Bed-Stuy. She loves the Slope, as well as her immediate neighbors. “Having a store next to Luke’s Lobster is dangerous,” she says.
Private Picassos is not a class-structured environment, however they have staff members — all who are artists — to assist and answer questions. “We’re also open on all school holidays so you can bring the kids here. And it’s a nice place to come when we’re having bad weather.”
However, there will be classes for kids beginning in January. Their classes will be for students 18 months and up, with classes for kids over the age of 5 being drop-off optional.
“It’s so satisfying to watch kids and parents make art together,” adds Bhat.
Private Picassos (237 5th Avenue between President and Carroll Streets) is open 7 days a week, between 10am-6pm. They are open during school holidays. You can contact the store at 718-215-0589 or info@privatepicassos.com.