AW Spotlight
Bootz Cultural Arts Center
By Sabeen Faquir
Have you seen Bootz Cultural Arts Center? It is a gem for Wellington and Royal Palm Beach residents. I was able to sit down with founder, Jeanne Bootz, to ask her about the origins of her business and what Bootz Cultural Arts Center has to offer.
“Art gives the opportunity to vent and refocus energy. When you’re creating in the arts, you’re learning and developing techniques and getting in touch with yourself. After that, you can connect and communicate with others, better,” says Jeanne.
Bootz Cultural Arts Center began as Bootz Culture Camp in January 2014. It was located in Royal Office Park, in a less visible area of the building. In January 2016, it expanded and became Bootz Cultural Arts Center. Now, they face the parking lot and the new Buckingham Plaza. This expansion made Bootz Cultural Arts Center more visible and enabled Jeanne to add more adult classes and advanced level classes.
Jeanne Bootz began Bootz Culture Camp because she felt there was a need for more opportunities for children and adults to study arts and combined cultural studies. Bootz Culture Camp was a fun way to learn about all the arts and cultures. Initially, the focus was more on humanities and cultural teachings. Although the teaching of visual art has become a stronger focus, Jeanne still feels a cultural understanding gives context to every art lesson.
Changes came to Bootz Cultural Arts Center with increased demand from the community for more fine arts classes. For instance, parents wanted Bak Middle School of the Arts and AW Dreyfoos School of the Arts audition prep courses for their children. And with the close relationship developing between Bootz Cultural Arts Center and the Wellington Art Society, the demands to bring in higher level art instruction and artist-focused gatherings instigated change. The Wellington Art Society currently meets at the Center.
Bootz Cultural Arts Center also offers a Yoga class on Wednesday from 9:00am to 10:00am hosted by the Cookin’ Yogi, Sherri Mraz. There is even a Movement, Yoga, and Art class for children offered on Thursdays from 4:30 to 5:30 by Gym Class Nation. You might think it odd that a cultural arts center offers yoga classes but Jeanne has offered yoga and arts for children in the past. In fact, Jeanne offered yoga as a part of a study of Indian culture during Camp, and found that the children enjoyed the yoga activities. If you’re interested in Sherri Mraz’s Yoga class, check out Sherri’s website under the Work With Me tab.
Some of the benefits of taking an art class at Bootz Cultural Arts Center are a strong sense of a working studio environment, knowledgeable instructors, and cost-effectiveness. First, There is an atmosphere of artistic creativity. Second, you will find instructors who are well-versed and offer knowledge of a wide range of media. The instructors are equipped to teach all ages and skill levels from novice to expert. Third, there is no membership fee to join. And because the cost of supplies is included in the cost of the class, you will not end up spending an astronomical amount on paints, canvases, brushes or other materials.
What clients like the most about Bootz Cultural Arts Center is its relaxed atmosphere, convenient location, and flexibility. Once someone finds the Center on State Rd 7, they realize how conveniently it is located between Wellington and Royal Palm Beach. Bootz Culture Camp is still alive within Bootz Cultural Arts Center with the blue walls and painted clouds. At the Center, there are a variety of classes offered. Some are even created by request. Birthday Parties for children and adults have evolved in that way.
Birthday Parties are available with the following themes: Under the Sea, The Dot, African Safari, and Rock Star, or Jeanne Bootz will work with you to create your own theme. Bootz Cultural Arts Center has hosted a Cinco de Mayo painting birthday party for adults and even bridal shower painting parties.
I had never heard of “The Dot,” so I asked Jeanne. She told me it is a lovely book by Peter H. Reynolds about a girl finding acceptance as an artist by drawing dots. Jeanne loves the story because according to her, it is about making your mark and creating your own style or interest.
During special times of the year, you may even see discounts for Bootz Cultural Arts Center on the smaller search engines, or you can readily get a coupon from the newsletter. All you have to do is go to www.bootzculturalartscenter.com. Then, go to Registration and Contact, fill out your information and check the box that says “Check here to receive email updates.” If you want to register for a class, choose Registration when prompted. If you just want to request some information, choose Request for Information. Then submit.
Jeanne Bootz sits on the Board of Directors of the Wellington Art Society and is Vice President of the Palm Beach County Art Teachers’ Association or PBCATA. Through the generosity of the Wellington Art Society there are some scholarships available for the summer camp program at the Center. Bootz Cultural Arts Center is also a unique venue for fundraisers and art shows. It is a space for artist development through workshops and gatherings. Bootz Cultural Arts Center is the only center for fine arts and cultural instruction of its kind in the western communities.
Bootz Cultural Arts Center is perfect for Wellington residents because of the diversity of classes it offers and its location. Jeanne is very responsive to requests from Wellington and Royal Palm Communities. If you support Bootz Cultural Arts Center you will be supporting an independent business from within your community. So, check out the Bootz Cultural Arts Center today and find out what classes interest you!
420 S. State Rd. 7, Suite 118,
Royal Palm Beach, FL 33414
(561) 290-2753