March 27, 2017

Meet Cathy Spencer of Color Wheel Studio in Decatur

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cathy Spencer.

Cathy, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I founded the Color Wheel Studio in Decatur in 2002. I had been working at the High Museum of Art for the previous 5 years and had gained a love for working with art and art education. I began to identify a need in the community for quality art’s programming for kids beyond what the public-school system could provide with budget and curriculum constraints. I saw an opportunity in the after-school hours to create a program that met this need. Privately owned community art studios did not exist 15 years ago. The development of the programming, space and evolution of Color Wheel has been an incredible journey for me.

The Decatur community has embraced and supported the studio since inception. In 2002, I started the studio with myself and one other teacher and 12 students in a small bungalow on Church St. By 2003, we had grown to a staff of 6 with all programs on wait lists and hundreds of families through the studio throughout the year.

Today, we have 12 staff members and a huge community of families. The studio is now housed in our beautiful 11,000 square foot building in downtown Decatur. We teach 6 art classes each afternoon, run school break programs, community classes and are active members of the Decatur Arts Alliance, Decatur Business Association, partners in education with the City Schools of Decatur and avid supporters of the Decatur Education Foundation’s initiatives.

The support of the Decatur community has been amazing!

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I have been lucky in that my concept was unique and unchallenged by competitors for many years. As such, we were profitable almost immediately. While I did not face some of the typical start up challenges, I did face some of the common personal challenges small business owners encounter. As many business owners experience, the greatest challenge through the past 15 years is finding the right balance between family and the running of a successful business. I have overcome this challenge by hiring and training talented and motivated staff that embrace our mission.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Color Wheel Studio – what should we know?
Color Wheel is a community art studio. We offer after-school programming, classes, school break camps, and are host to many community events and offerings throughout the year. Our mission is to provide safe, quality arts programming aimed primarily at children and families. Our teachers our degreed artists with a background in art education and childcare programming.

We teach ceramics, drawing and painting, sculpture, textiles and mixed media. We are deeply ingrained in the Decatur community. As partners in education with the City Schools of Decatur, active members of the Decatur Arts Alliance, the Decatur Business Association and supporters of the initiatives of the Decatur Education Foundation we are involved in a huge array of community events and offerings that support the continuation of the arts in our schools and community.

Color Wheel is truly a symbiotic micro-community of like-minded parents, incredible art educators and amazing young artists. We are known for very high quality programming and the integrity with which we work.

Though we have received many awards and had many public moments of pride such as our Spring exhibition each year, our partnership in the creation of the Decatur lantern parade, and our part in the Decatur Art’s Festival, my proudest moment as business owner is a quiet one.

We have a scholarship program in place at the studio. Several years ago, I had a student in this program who was one of 8 children in her family. She was struggling to find her identity in a challenging family situation both economically and socially. Through our programs, she began to identify herself as an artist and I watched as her confidence and self-esteem grew incredibly. That year, I placed a photo of her throwing a pot on the pottery wheel on the cover of my Summer brochure. Handing her a copy of the printed brochure, and watching her face light up, knowing the depth of that moment for her created my proudest moment. It that moment, I recognized that I was achieving my mission in its greatest execution.

What sets Color Wheel Studio apart is that it is the forerunner and has set the standard for the industry.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
There are too many people who have contributed to mention.

My family has been amazing, my husband ever the biggest support, my mom (a 40 year gifted teacher and huge inspiration), my daughter (always patient and all in) and my siblings and friends of course.

On the Color Wheel team, Olive Evans was my original Assistant Director for 11 years and unbelievably amazing. All of the phenomenal Color Wheel teachers throughout the years who have brought their passion, strengths and boundless energy to each day. The current team and my current Assistant Director, Shannon Navaro, who are just amazing.

All of the Color Wheel families through the years who have trusted and supported the studio in countless ways and their fantastic little artists.

The City of Decatur school system, the Decatur Arts Alliance, the Decatur Education foundation and the City of Decatur team always maintaining the feel of a small town in a big city.

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