AMARILLO, Texas (KFDA) – Ruben on the Road visits The Dandelion Studio in Amarillo and learns how it’s encouraging kids to have fun through art.
Melissa Haney, the owner of The Dandelion Studio, says she’s always been an artist.
“When I was in 4th grade, my art teacher, Mrs. Tate, told me I was an artist. And that was something that I’ve never forgotten,” said Haney. “And I just kind of latched onto that title and just ran with it.”
Haney says Mrs. Tate had such a huge influence on her life.
“And I had been thinking for a long time about starting a children’s art studio where kids could just come in and paint and learn and be encouraged and have a good time,” said Haney.
She says they have a lot of fun at the studio.
“And Valentine’s Day, 12 years ago, I was sitting across the table from my husband at a restaurant. And he said, ‘Hey what do you want to do?’ And he was thinking like, ‘Do you want to go to a movie after this or do you want to go to the bookstore?’ But I had this thought in my head,” said Haney.
Once he asked her what she wanted to do, Haney says she just blurted out that she wanted to open a children’s art studio.
“And he said, ‘OK, how can we make that happen?’ And two months later, The Dandelion Studio opened and has been going strong,” said Haney. “I read something several years ago about how society takes our crayons away from us as adults. And I just want to be a place where I can give adults their crayons back. That’s what I want to do. And make sure that the kids don’t lose theirs.”
Haney says people have asked her before if she really thinks kids and 5-year-olds can understand and appreciate real art.
“And I think if you say that they can’t create real art, then you’re saying they’re not real humans. And of course they’re real humans,” said Haney.
She just wants to give their art, creative voice and ideas value. Haney wants to make sure that they are built up in that and they know they have a voice and what they are doing and creating is important.
“As an artist, I always wonder how people, how artists can be creative if they’re not around children because this is like a magical place for me to come and be with kids and see what they’re creating,” said Haney.
She says it’s an inspiration to her.
“And I feel like there’s kind of a give and take that there’s kind of a creative energy that they bring to my art as well as me bringing to theirs,” said Haney.
Copyright 2025 KFDA. All rights reserved.
发表回复