San Rafael Elementary School Opens New Room 13 Student Art Studio

Light Bringer Project hosted  the grand opening of a new “Room 13” creative art studio at San Rafael Elementary School on Sunday.

More than 50 people, including Pasadena Unified School District school board members and Pasadena Educational Foundation representatives, attended the reception.

Room 13 is an international network of student-driven creative studios. It facilitates the work of young artists alongside a professional adult Artist-in-Residence, providing an exchange of ideas, skills and experience across the ages.

Tom Coston, President of Light Bringer Project, said in his opening remarks that Room 13 served as the first contemporary elementary school art studio model in America.

Nery Lemus, San Rafael Elementary School’s Artist-in-Residence, said he is excited to start the operation of the students’ art studio.

Lemus is tasked to help and guide the students in their arts practice and special projects. He is a bilingual, multi-media artist of Guatemalan descent. He received his BFA at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena (2007) and his MFA at the California Institute of the Arts in Valencia (2009).

The other speakers include Rudy Ramirez, San Rafael Elementary School Principal and Allison Pultz, a parent and a project leader.

Little Flower Candy Co. provided food and wine.

Patricia Hurley of the Light Bringer Project said the San Rafael studio is the third Room 13 to open in Pasadena public schools. She added that it took at least a year to complete the project in San Rafael.

The first Room 13 was initiated by an 11-year old at Caol Primary School in Scotland in 1994. The idea caught wind among children worldwide and the initiative spread throughout Europe, India, South Africa, Asia and other locations, to now include approximately 100 studios worldwide.

In 2008, Light Bringer Project established the first Room 13 in North America, at James Foshay Learning Center in South Los Angeles. The following year the organization launched Room 13 at Eliot Middle School in Altadena. In the fall of 2010, and in partnership with the “Mustangs On The Move” Afterschool Program, Bringer opened Room 13 at John Muir High School.

In summer of 2011, Coston was appointed to the International Board of Trustees. The organization now helps coordinate and advise Room 13 start-ups across North America.

For monetary and/or non monetary donations (including art supplies and materials) to Light Bringer Project, contact Patricia Hurley at (626) 590-1134 or email hurleypanne@yahoo.com.