Daily Inspiration: Meet Marlis Cornett

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marlis Cornett.

Hi Marlis, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Marlis Cornett purchased and reopened Color Wheel Studio in 2022 after it closed during the pandemic. She moved the studio to a new location and revived its community presence, bringing back its popular After School Program and Summer Camps. Color Wheel has long been a beacon of creativity for young artists in its after school classes as well as school break and summer camps. But Marlis’ vision does not end there, it extends to the entire community by offering workshops and classes for all ages in addition to a fun new offering, the Color Wheel Art Cafe called Art a la Carte. At the Cafe, we offer a menu of creative experiences for “diners” to choose from. Tables are reserved online and projects served up table side by staff. It offers a refreshing way to hang out with friends or to get a little alone time and loose yourself in creative fun.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Things are never perfectly smooth! Finding the right spot to relocate was the largest initial challenge. We needed enough space to house our five different studio mediums: Ceramics, Textiles, Drawing &Painting, Printmaking and Multi Media. Finding a space large enough for the classes we teach as well as the over 70 after school kids we receive each day, was a challenge. While there are always bumps in the road, all challenges are worth while when we get to see the joy it brings when people get to play and create in our space.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My background is in painting, illustration and design. I received a BA in Fine Arts, Painting and then pursued a portfolio in Illustraton. I have always kept a painting studio and fine art practice, selling work professionally. But I simultaneously pursued a career in Illustration that lead to Product Design. Sharing my love of art and creating, I began teaching small classes. As I was looking to expand my curriculum and class offerings, I became aware that Color Wheel Studio was in need of a new owner and director. I leapt a the opportunity.

Currently I am most known as the Owner/Director of Color Wheel Studio. In my Fine Art practice I am most known for my Beach Watercolor series and Portraits.

Color Wheel Studio is my primary focus. I am most proud of our studio’s staff and young artists and the sophisticated, creative works that they produce – all while having fun, experimenting and playing with materials and mediums they might not otherwise get exposed to. Our program sets itself apart with the depth of our curriculum, designed by our degreed teaching artists and the professional outcome of the work our young artist produce which culminates in a full Exhibiton at the end of the School year.

What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
How to stay true to your values. Color Wheel was created with a strong set of Core Values which we implement to this day. By reflecting on these values, we can answer and solve conflicts or dilemmas. We teach these values to all staff and to our students, and we practice them in our lives. Our Values are: Safe Space, Integrity, Empathy, Responsibility, Empowerment and Engagement. We teach and encourage our students through these values and award Core Value Awards each month. I have learned that reflecting on these values allows clarity and direction when faced with challenges. I have seen first hand the positive changes empowering someone with a task and ownership can provide, how to use empathy to see the other side of a situation and understand another’s point of view, to stick to a message or decision and to keep the integrity of a situation in place, to take responsibility for actions and jobs and to encourage and teach it in others, to engage in meaningful and fun ways and participate actively in the moment. Lastly one of our most talked about value, safe space, to create a safe and nurturing environment, physically and mentally through respect, kindness and acceptance.

Pricing:

• After School Classes are all on waitlists at the moment. But we offer 2 days (tues/thurs), 3 days (Mon/wed/fri) or 5 days. $250/$335/$490 monthly pricing
• School Break Camps (&Summer) are week long and typically $445 for full day 8:30am-5:30pm.
• Art Cafe menu items start at $18 – $38 plus a kids menu $8 – $15

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.colorwheelstudio.com
• Instagram: Colorwheelartstudio
• Facebook: Color Wheel Studio

Image Credits
@MelissaGallagher, Color Wheel Studio