BY ROBBIE SEQUEIRA
In 2017, Jim Scerbo and Tara
Ryan transformed an upstairs
offi ce space at 3100 Wilkinson
Ave. in the Pelham Bay section
into a pathway for artful
expression for Bronx youth
known as The Artful Attic.
Scerbo and Ryan, co-owners
and operators of the Artful Attic,
told the Bronx Times that
the studio was designed to fi ll a
much-needed space in the borough
for arts and children’s enrichment.
Creating a holistic,
family-friendly space to foster
artistic minds and meaningful
bonds has been the duo’s philosophy
since day one.
“This partnership started
because we have a passion for
both children and the arts, and
I was an assistant pre-K teacher
teaching after-school art prior
to the Artful Attic’s opening,”
Ryan said. “When you look
where the options for art spaces
are in the Bronx, it’s quite limited.
So when Jim approached
me to explore an art space here
in the Bronx, it aligned with
who Jim and I are as people
who love to work with children
and art.”
The Artful Attic, an upstairs
art studio that offers a window
of fi ve six-week semesters with
classes on both weekdays and
Saturdays from mid-September
through mid-June, is currently
in the middle of its third calendar
session, which ends on Feb.
12. When the fourth session resumes
on March 3 — weekday
classes and Saturday classes
are roughly $125 and $150 per
semester — each project will be
different from sessions prior, a
source of pride for the ownersinstructors.
“In the past fi ve years, we
have never done the same exact
project,” said Ryan. “If we’re going
to do a snowman one class,
in another session, we’ll change
it up by including a different
mixed medium or different way
for the kids to construct the
snowman. We like to make sure
each class we are working on a
different and unique project.”
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic,
the Artful Attic would
host as many as 30 pupils per
class. However, once the pandemic
New Yorkers over 60:
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took shape, the Artful
Attic adjusted its approach to
holding classes remote for a
downsized group of 20 students,
and making sure young artists
wouldn’t be without art supplies
by delivering them free of
charge to their residences.
“It was an adjustment going
remote and it is a bit harder
than in-person because being
in class is a better experience
and our children may miss out
more on certain materials we
have available (in the studio),”
said Ryan.
Scerbo said that providing
and delivering art supplies free
of charge, a service Attic still
does even as in-person classes
are back in session, helps eliminate
fi nancial barriers between
students and their masterpieces.
“When we went virtual, we
wanted to cater our services
and supplies to them, since art
supplies can be expensive,”
Scerbo said. “We know that not
everyone will be able to afford
art supplies or all the supplies
needed for a particular class, so
we want to do our best to provide
the tools that our kids need
to make the most out of their
sessions.”
Scerbo added that the return
to in-person classes are safe, as
the Attic spreads out a class of
16-22 students to prevent potential
spread of COVID-19 and
make sure to sanitize workstations
and supplies regularly.
The Artful Attic isn’t just
limited to its physical Wilkinson
Avenue location, as the duo
also provides mobile services
throughout the borough ranging
from in-home classes, to
sessions for local schools, in addition
to providing party space
for arts and crafts parties. The
duo hopes to expand both its
services and the scope of their
students, bringing a love for art
to every corner of the borough.
“Our most important thing
right now is getting some specialized
classes for (students)
with special needs, and maybe
more focused classes, for just
drawing or painting,” Ryan
said. “A lot of our adult friends
Tara Ryan, known as Mrs. Ryan to
her students at the Artful Attic,
blends her passion for art and cultivating
young imagination.
Photo courtesy Tara Ryan
looks for adult classes, and we
would also like to go for that
too, since some adults may not
feel comfortable drawing with
some of the kids. We are excited
to be able to share a love and
passion of art with anyone is interested.”
Pelham Bay’s Artful Attic provides
much-needed art space
Give the vaccine another thought.
Talk to a doctor.
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