Our family started attending Davis Studio about seven years ago. Back then, it was on Pine Street, parking was tricky, and there were few classrooms, small spaces, uneven floors, and limited air conditioning. But Theresa Davis and her staff were amazing, so it was always rewarding to attend any class.
Fast forward six years and we put Kayla in a class, knowing that she was delayed in fine and gross motor skills, that she had some medical complications and difficulty with new situations, and that social skills with peers were challenging for her. We enrolled her in a week of “Shark” camp with Lydia. She thrived in that camp. She brought in books and information about sharks to share, created some great artwork, was excited to go every day, and absolutely loved Lydia. Lydia was more than merely accommodating of Kayla: she really connected with her, which means a lot because relationships are very important with Kayla.
This year, Kayla wanted to attend another camp with Lydia, so she began “Into the Jungle”. But now the class is in a new studio on Shelburne Road. We arrived early so that Kayla could see the new building, get acquainted with her classroom, and re-connect with Lydia. This new space is AMAZING! First of all, it is handicap accessible, so people with wheelchairs or difficulty walking can easily get into the building. Second, the classrooms are incredibly spacious and filled with sunlight. The central air makes it so much more enjoyable on hot summer days. And the café is amazing. Homemade lunch can be purchased, along with delightful snacks, healthy juices, and to top it all off, ice-cream!
Davis Studio is one of the most accommodating art facilities to children with special needs I have ever encountered. Their passion for getting children to enjoy art is manifested in the overall empathy they have, connecting with children on all levels. Kudos goes to Theresa Davis for making this studio a bright, fun, and enriching studio open to helping those that need a little more guidance or support.