The Painted Cloud

Specialties

Our program consists of dedicated artists teaching in collaboration with children aged 2.5 to 10 years. Process and experimentation are at the heart of our activities and discussions. We place an emphasis on process to support all forms of creativity: some children are attuned to composition and color relationships, others are focused on representing the world as they observe it, others are most engaged when constructing or dismantling, and still others are operating on conceptual and performative levels. We strongly believe that prioritizing process over final results fosters free thinking, creative ingenuity, and individuality. These skills are not only critical to long-​term artistic involvement, but are also essential to autonomy, personal success, and well-​being. Although product driven programs sometimes yield visually impressive results, too much emphasis on the end result can build a false reliance on the teacher’s instructions and praise, rendering a child’s relationship with art inhibited. We are here to share in the creative, intellectual, and emotional growth of our students. At every stage of development we encourage children to imagine, practice skills, feel confident in their abilities, troubleshoot obstacles, and see projects through to the end. The Painted Cloud strives to be a radical and compassionate environment. We hold our art studio as a safe environment for expression and thought.

History

Established in 2008.

The Painted Cloud is an art program in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. It was started by Samara Kupferberg, a New York City native with over ten years of experience working with children, including four years as Art Coordinator at the Children’s Museum of Maine. In the fall of 2008, Samara recruited artist Bianca Beck and together they developed the structure and philosophy for The Painted Cloud. A year later they were joined by Brendan Evans, a musician and artist from Portland, Maine. Throughout the life of The Painted Cloud other working artists, teachers, and friends have been brought in to enrich the program with special workshops and classes. In 2012, Bianca took over as owner and director of the program following Samara and Brendan’s move to Portland, Maine.

Meet the Business Owner

Bianca B.

Business Owner

Bianca Beck is a painter and wood carver. She has been caring for and teaching children for over ten years. Bianca holds an MFA from Yale and a BFA from Carnegie Mellon. She has had solo shows at New York galleries Rachel Uffner Gallery and White Columns. She has also exhibited in Tokyo, Milan, Madrid, Los Angeles, Detroit, and Chicago.