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Art Ah La Carte

Wings mural unveiled downtown

By Howard B. Owens

Kim Argenta, owner of Art Ah La Carte on Jackson Street, painted a new mural of wings, adding to the art trail through Batavia, and the Chamber of Commerce hosted an unveiling on Friday. The video is by Steve Falitico for the Chamber.

Rocks spread happiness, kindness throughout Batavia

By Maria Pericozzi

The first of three sessions to spread kindness throughout Batavia was on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. where participants painted rocks, which will be placed throughout Batavia.

Participants pay $5 to cover the cost of paint and supplies, and bring a rock. Two more sessions -- July 27 and Aug. 17, from 6:30 until 7:30 p.m. -- will be held at Art Ah La Carte in Batavia at 39 Jackson St.

Kim Argenta, owner of Art Ah La Carte, started the project after her friend, Kelly Carlie, told her about a project she runs in Le Roy, called “Le Roy Rocks.” Both are part of the nationwide “The Kindness Rocks Project.”

New rock-painting project in Batavia intended to spread kindness, happiness

By Maria Pericozzi

A new project with the hope of brightening people’s days will start at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, where Kim Argenta will host and teach a class to paint rocks, and place them all throughout Batavia.  

Argenta, owner of Art Ah La Carte in Batavia, got the idea from her friend, Kelly Carlie, who runs a similar project in Le Roy, called “Le Roy Rocks.” She saw the post on Facebook and thought it was really cool. This is part of the nationwide project, “The Kindness Rocks Project.”

“I want to place them randomly throughout Batavia hoping that other communities will jump on board,” Argenta said.

Participants pay $5 to cover the paint and supplies, and bring a rock. Right now, there are three sessions, on July 13, July 27 and Aug. 17, from 6:30 until 7:30 p.m. The sessions are held at Art Ah La Carte in Batavia at 39 Jackson St.

The $5 cost does not even cover all of the supplies, Argenta said. Each set of oil-based markers cost around $65 and she purchases paints, brushes, primer and sealer as well.

“This is nonprofit,” Argenta said. “I am making nothing from this. I just want to spread art and happiness.”

For those interested, they can call Argenta at Art Ah La Carte at 245-1655.

Argenta is proud of the fact that she is self-taught. She learned everything from teaching herself and doing. She started Art Ah La Carte in October almost nine years ago, when she wanted to offer Batavia something different.

“I wanted kids that weren’t into sports to have another option,” Argenta said. “I truly believe the arts are important for academics and the well-rounded individual.”

Art Ah La Carte marks move downtown with Brush Out Cancer fundraiser

By Howard B. Owens

Kimberly Yasses Argenta has moved Art Ah La Carte from Harvester Avenue to Downtown Batavia, into a storefront on Jackson Street.

She moved the art studio and classroom space because she needed more space, she said, and she thought the location would give her better exposure.

"Already, people have come in off the street, so that's a good thing," Argenta said.

She also thought it would be beneficial to be part of the Business Improvement District and enjoy those promotional opportunities.

This Friday and Saturday she is hosting "Brush Out Cancer," an event to raise funds for the American Cancer Society.

Friday is an art show, vendors' auctions and a 50/50 raffle. On Saturday, from noon to 1:30 p.m., there is Kids Paint. The cost is $30 and pre-registration is required (call (585) 245-1655). And in the evening, starting at 6, Monet and Merlot, which costs $45 and includes refreshments, though if you want wine, you need to bring your own bottle. There will be a wine tasting. Saturday evening's event also includes auctions and a 50/50 raffle.

The fundraisers are in memory of Argenta's mother, Mickey Yasses, who passed away in December, 2013.

Monet & Merlot Paint Nite at Art Ah La Carte to 'Brush Out Cancer'

By Lisa Ace

Brush Out Cancer with Art Ah La Carte!

Art Ah La Carte • Located at 56 Harvester Ave in Batavia, NY

Monet & Merlot Paint Nite! (Age 21 & older) Nov. 8th at 6pm-9pm - $40, BYOW, I bring the munchies! 

Wine Tasting - Nov. 8th - 6pm at the Yngodess Shop on Main Street in Downtown Batavia.

Event Date and Time
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Brush Out Cancer with Art Ah La Carte!

By Lisa Ace

Brush Out Cancer with Art Ah La Carte

Novemeber 7th & 8th!

Art Show and Pinwheel Project - Nov. 7th Purchase a pinwheel for $3 to spin on Nov. 8th in memory or in honor a loved one battling cancer. 6-7:30 - Free admission.

Kids P​aint - Nov. 8th 12- 1:30 - $30

Monet & Merlot Paint Nite! (Age 21 & older) Nov. 8th at 6pm-9pm - $40, BYOW, I bring the munchies! 

Wine Tasting - Nov. 8th - 6pm at the Yngodess Shop.

Event Date and Time
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Art ah la Carte celebrates three years in business with juried art show Friday

By Billie Owens

Art ah la Carte celebrates three years in business this Friday, Oct. 26, with a juried art show from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

The art studio/classroom/gallery is located at 56 Harvester Ave. in the historic Harvester Center.

Weather permitting, there will also be sidewalk chalk art.

Event Date and Time
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Art ah la Carte opens June 12, three summer camps offered

By Billie Owens

ART AH LA CARTE  is having a soft opening from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 12.

There will be a gift-basket giveaway, gallory showing, music from local guitarists and refreshments.

Come and "CELEBRATE ART" with us. Enjoy local artists and student works, too.

The following ART CAMPS will be offered this summer:

  • Ages 6-9 -- July 19-23
  • Ages 10-12 -- July 26-30
  • Ages 13-17 -- Aug. 2-6.

Children will complete five art projects. Multimedium,  mosaic, watercolor, junk art and and texture painting.

Must register by calling 245-1655 no later than two weeks prior to camp. Class size is limited.

Art Ah La Carte Celebrates 2nd Anniversary! Sign up Now for Art Classes

By

Kim Argenta of Art Ah La Carte is pleased to announce the 2nd anniversary of her studio. "We're hosting our 2nd Birthday party at our NEW studio at 56 Harvester Ave., Batavia on the February 27th. The theme is Junk Art and we will be making a Pig out of "junk" - or "found objects". The kids will have cake and snacks and walk away with a little Pig that they can hang from the ceiling in their bedroom."

"We are enjoying continued success in our Drawing classes with my resident Artist Robert Garland. He is so talented! 3D classes are filling up. Watercolor and Acrylic classes are booming."

NEW CLASSES

THE TRAVELING CANVAS- ( Like the traveling pants) Artists take home the canvas for a week and in an area of the canvas create their own art style. This will be hung in the Art Center when complete.

PLASTER CARVING- Learn how to use artist carving tools to create a 3D sculpture 2 evening workshop Feb. 25th and March 4th @ 6-7:30 cost is $20

ATC-ARTIST TRADING CARDS- Create your own trading card to trade with other artist around the world. Feb.23rd 6-7:30 cost is $10

DRAWING CLASS- For beginners and advanced, weekdays and Saturdays. Cost $10 1hr

ART FOR KIDS- Art program for kids. Weekdays and Saturdays, Cost $10 1hr

WATCH FOR OUR OPEN HOUSE THIS SPRING!!!!!!!!!!

For more information call 585.245.1655 or visit www.artalc.vpweb.com 

Bring out your inner artist at Art Ah La Carte

By Howard B. Owens

If you think you don't have a creative bone in your body, you haven't been to Art Ah La Carte yet.

Kimberly Argenta says she can teach anybody to create art.

"People have come in and said, 'I have no talent. I don’t know how to do anything,'" Argenta said. "I’ve actually had people come in and watercolor for the first time and their work comes out beautiful. They say they don’t have any creativity, yet I can pull it out of them. I believe everybody has creativity, you just have to find the right medium.”

Argenta has turned her passion for art and teaching into a business at the new Artisan Center at 56 Harvester Ave., Batavia.

Classes started this week and cover a range of mediums, from painting to paper mache. Art Ah La Carte also has classes on altered tins, beading, drawing and turning old junk into art.

Caledonia artist Robert Garland is helping Argenta and teaching drawing. He said getting involved in Art Ah La Carte has sparked his own creativity.

Among the students in class on Friday evening was Linda Carson, who raised her hand when Argenta spoke about students coming in thinking they had no talent. She completed two watercolors so far, one in class and one at home, and she seemed to think the second one turned out pretty good.

"I thought I would just enjoy expressing myself in painting," Carson said. "I always wanted to try it, but ... " at which point Carson just shrugged.

Art Ah La Carte is open to individual students as well as groups. Argenta said people can form groups for a girls' night out or a guys' night out or any special event, such as a bridal shower.

“I just really felt that the community needed an inexpensive way to come out and enjoy an evening without breaking the wallet, yet they’re learning something," Argenta said.

Art Ah La Carte is part of the new Artisan Center being created by Patricia Hawley for Mancuso Business Development Group at the Harvester Center.

Hawley has been in talks with a number of artists, multimedia companies, writers and others about taking space in the new center.

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