Crown Heights Gets Creative

By COLlive reporter

For the first time ever, a Creative Art Center for children and adults in opening in Crown Heights at a storefront on New York Avenue.

Naomi Levin and Shevy Levin, who are sisters, will start offering classes for children and adults in April, and they are hearing the buzz already.

“This is something we’ve been planning ever since we moved to Crown Heights a few years ago,” Shevy says. “After a few years of seeing our programs grow, we see the need to expand and are ready for a bigger change.”

Shevy, who teaches art, and Naomi, who offers drama classes and dance programs, admitted they didn’t know how their programs would be received when they first moved to Crown Heights.

“After just a few sessions, parents came over to me and told me how much their child looks forward to the classes and how their child ‘needs’ this. It was so refreshing to hear that what we were doing wasn’t perceived as babysitting, but recognized as a necessary component for their child’s education and growth.”

With their new space undergoing renovations and getting ready for April, the opportunities are endless. There’s talk about having creative birthdays at the Center, musicals in the outdoor space, and dance performances every few months. After tripling in size in just over a year and a half, Shevy knows it’s not about the numbers.

“Despite our growth, we’re determined to stay focused on our goals of providing individualized attention to each of our students to bring out their unique voice. Students should feel a stronger sense of self and feel like a more confident person that can positively contribute to the world.”

Their after-school extra curricular programs will extend into a full day summer program where their sister, Riffy, will join them and add crafting to the mix of programs that are offered. The space is equipped with a beautiful backyard for lunch and activities.

The children will be working on developing different artistic skills and the summer program will end off with a gallery showing, a drama performance, and a display of their different works.

“Everything we do is infused with Jewish energy and life, and the environment is warm and welcoming. It becomes that safe zone where you can be comfortable enough to be you, and rediscover different parts you never knew were even there,” Naomi says.

Working in three month units, the drama and dance sessions culminate in an end-of-unit performance, where children can share the spotlight – and what they’ve gained – in a supportive environment of family and friends. The performance is raw and real. No songs are prerecorded and mistakes are accepted and embraced.

“For me, it’s way more about the process as opposed to the final result. It’s about the journey of getting to your destination, not the destination itself. It’s also a good lesson for life: not everything turns out the way you want it to, and we have to make the best of that. I think it’s healthy for kids to learn that a young age. Like they say in theater: ‘The show must go on.’ ”

For more info, email Naomi at jewishdrama@gmail.com