Does A Picasso Live In Your House?

“Outside The Lines” Art Studio In Marianna Could Reveal Hidden Talents In Your Family
By Sid Riley

We are fortunate to have an active and growing group of artists working in Jackson County, creating new wonders for public enjoyment, and simultaneously developing their artistic skills. Their demonstrated works and combined involvement has stimulated a growing interest in art in the local area.
This interest has thus created a need for a professional art school in our community. Debra Pelc Menacof, a trained professional practicing artist and certified art instructor has met this need through the opening of “Outside the Lines” art studio on Kelson Avenue in Marianna. The studio is in the facility which once housed the Russell Athletics Sewing Plant at 4215 Kelson Avenue.
Debra was originally from the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area but she came to Tampa to study art at the University of South Florida twenty five years ago, met and fell in love with a Florida boy. She has lived in Florida ever since. After obtaining her Bachelors degree in Art from the U of South Florida, she continued her skills development through graduate art studies at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Georgia.
She is one of the Directors of The Artists Guild of Northwest Florida, and is an active participant in most local artist’s activities. She opened the “Outside the Lines” studio three years ago, but she has been actively teaching for over twenty years. She teaches sculpting, sketching, acrylic and water color painting, and many other art mediums.
The studio has art skills development programs for all ages, with her “Mommy and Me” courses beginning as early as two years old and her adult classes are ageless! Her classes are divided by age and skill level, with four to eighteen students per class. The studio is open at various times during the week. The studio is starting a second Summer Art Camp which will run from July 27 through July 30. The times are 9:00 – 12:00 and 1:00 – 4:00 Monday through Thursday. All you need to do is call 482-8289 or 557-2399 to enroll. The e-mail address is debimenacof@embarqmail.com .
Mrs. Menacof explains “By engaging children in development of their artistic abilities at an early age, it has been proven to assist them in development of their problem solving skills, creative thinking, helps in all aspects of academic development, but most of all personal pride”. With each lesson “Miss Debi” tries to have the student think “Outside the lines” and express their individuality.
You are thus encouraged to investigate enrolling yourself and or a family member in an arts course. Who knows, there may be another Picasso hidden there, just waiting for an opportunity for artistic expression.