The setup
As a graduate student, she decided to open up an affordable art school to offer an all-inclusive space for art creativity in the Round Rock community. Eight years ago, Shaw moved the nonprofit to Pflugerville.
“We wanted to give everyone a safe place to learn whether they could afford it or not,” Shaw said. “So then the ones that couldn't afford it, we wanted to give them a scholarship opportunity, and we wanted them to put their artwork out into the community and be able to talk about it. So those were the three things we really focused on.”
A closer look
Shaw teaches a variety of art mediums including pottery, painting, drawing and more. She said there is no limit to what can be taught at the center.
Adult classes range from $40 per class to $150 per month and include materials, with the exception of pottery classes having an additional $50 supply fee. Children's classes cost between $25-$30 per class and $90-$100 per month. Prices vary depending on whether students take homeschool classes or after school classes.
From the beginning of Pfun Arts, Shaw said she has always followed the rule of “when you see a need, you fill it.” She said it’s important to continue this mindset throughout the future of the art center.
“We leave things better than we found them—the property, the community, the lives of the children,” Shaw said. “I love taking things that other people throw away, or sell in garage sales or give away and kind of putting them all together and making something new and something beautiful. And so that's what has sustained us here and it's something I really want to grow into.”
