F is for Friends.

Good friends are among the best treasures one can have. Your community arts center not only strives to enrich your life with creativity, but to also create spaces for friendships to naturally develop. Get to know a few friendly faces that are commonly seen around our neck of the woods and learn what keeps them coming back to Fairmount.

Meet Sarah, a ceramics student

Sarah's ties to Fairmount began with her mother who was a member of the Russell Women's Club who started what is now the annual Fairmount Art Exhibition.

"When I retired, I started ceramics classes because I've always loved sculpture," she says. During her time at Fairmount, Sarah has enjoyed learning about Raku and wood firing.

"I look forward to it every week and I've gotten into a lot of art shows because of it... Brigitte is a great teacher and a wonderful person, that's why I think a lot of people come."

Meet Henry, a piano student

Henry and his younger brother William are both piano students at Fairmount who enjoy weekly lessons with Mr. Andrew.

"Although the lessons are challenging, they both look forward to their lessons each week", says their supportive mom, Veronica.

"Learning piano and performing at the recitals has really increased our oldest son's confidence. We have also seen an improvement in our other son's fine motor skills and coordination. They are both so proud and joyful when they master a song and we are too!"

Henry performing Etude in E Minor at Fairmount’s Fall 24 Music Recital.

Meet Miss Kate, a dance instructor

Kate Webb Berk, a professional dancer with Ohio Contemporary Ballet, has been a dance instructor at Fairmount for nearly a decade.

"Fairmount has been a cornerstone of my Cleveland community—a place filled with talented kids, kind families, and supportive coworkers." While the professional and pre-professional dance world can be highly competitive, Kate enjoys the freedom and opportunities Fairmount offers its students, "I love showing up at our little 'castle' in Chesterland, where everyone feels safe to try new things and encouraged to build friendships."

The community she has found at Fairmount extends beyond the classroom, "My Fairmount family cheers me on for my own performances, just like I root on our students. Fairmount is a special place, and I’m lucky to be a part of it!"

Miss Kate and some of her former Fairmount students reconnecting over pizza.

Meet Amy, an alumna of fairmount youth theatre

Amy Garson, a Fairmount theatre alumna, quickly found a supportive community in the theatre productions at Fairmount in 1991.

"When you are around like minded people, it's an invaluable support," she says. After graduating from Ohio University, she was NYC bound finding a home as a stand up comedian.

Amy now lives in Bloomfield, NJ with her husband and two children and enjoys writing for tv and film - comedic thrillers, of course. She looks back at her Fairmount time fondly, "[It was] therapeutic. I don't think it can be said enough that community and inclusion is the most important thing for a child... Fairmount changed the trajectory of my entire life for the better." Read more about Amy’s Fairmount experiences and the things she’s done since in her feature Spotlight blog post!

As the year draws to a close, consider giving the gift of arts education your Fairmount friends with a donation to Fairmount Center for the Arts! Fairmount is a non-profit organization that relies on the generous support of its community to bring high-quality arts education to your backyard. Give before the end of the year and your gift will be matched up to $5,000!

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Fairmount Center for the Arts Announces New Arts Preschool