With great focus, six school-aged children carefully squeeze droppers of colored liquid into vials of vinegar to create a rainbow of colors. Next, they scoop baking soda into the vials and squeal in delight as the magic of science takes effect and results in the reaction of the vinegar and baking soda. Even though Art Amore is an art studio, incorporating science into classes helps the students remember how to create colors, said Elyse Barmettler, who owns the business with her mother, Kathy Barmettler. This approach of incorporating science and art is how Kathy taught her students science while teaching in Pflugerville ISD. “Art is a great way to help kids retain the lesson,” Kathy said. Wanting to teach more art with smaller classes and have more control over projects than at public schools, Kathy said she encouraged her daughter to open the studio with her. The mother-daughter duo opened Art Amore in January 2013 off Jester Boulevard. They aim to keep the classes to no more than eight to 10 children. “That’s why I wanted to be a teacher: to do the one-on-one,” Kathy said. “This way, we can specialize and really individualize each class to the specific needs.” Art Amore offers a range of camps and after-school classes for students from painting with acrylics and oil pastels to working with clay. Classes are broken into sections, such as free drawing, learning various techniques and understanding the fundamentals of art, such as how colors work. “With all of our classes, it’s a balance of technique and creativity and fun,” Elyse said. “It’s bringing in the basics and foundation so you can create what you want.” The Barmettlers opened their studio six years ago to help fill a void in Northwest Austin. They relied on word of mouth and now have a healthy clientele, Elyse said. Students get to paint what they want with some guidance, and their works in progress adorn the walls of the studio. “It’s cute to see them follow each other,” Elyse said. “… They get to have more of a choice. There are some art pieces I would never think to do.”

Art Amore

6507 Jester Blvd., Ste. 107, Austin 512-983-7022 • www.artamoreaustin.com Hours: 1-8 p.m. Mon.-Fri., closed Sat.-Sun.