Alina Glath, impressionist-inspired artist and Butler resident, will offer children's art classes at Downtown Sounds on North Washington Street starting this month. Submitted Photo

Slippery Rock University graduate Alina Glath is passionate about sharing her love of art with the next generation, so she’s setting up her easel in a downtown Butler studio.

The studio, based in the Downtown Sounds music instruction school on North Washington Street, will host children’s art classes and private lessons by Glath starting this month.

After graduating from SRU in 2020 with a fine arts degree and concentration in education, Glath developed her skills as an impressionist-inspired painter through teaching in Butler and beyond.

She said her studio opening expands the mission of Downtown Sounds and adds to the Butler Cultural District, which launched earlier this month.

“It’s a studio within a studio, you could say. The school was primarily music and now we’re adding visual arts,” she said. “The studio is within the geographical confines of the new cultural district, and I’ve been working with (the coordinators) throughout the development of it.”

Kathy Sawyer, owner and instructor at Downtown Sounds, said Glath was a student of hers, and she’s excited to add her specialties to the team.

“(Glath) will add many unique classes and lessons for those whose gifts and interests are drawing, painting and creating art forms other than music. It broadens what we can offer each session to include not only vocal and instrumental lessons and classes but also many options in the fine arts,” she said.

The children’s classes use seasonal materials such as leaves or pumpkins for activities such as screenprinting and painting.

Glath said her hope for the studio is to foster creativity in artists of all ages by offering painting and drawing lessons as well.

Though she’s still in the process of preparing the studio, Glath said she’s excited for the journey ahead within Downtown Sounds.

“Downtown Sounds plays a huge role in the community, educating youths with piano and voice lessons. They want to spread that knowledge and want to spread what gives them joy,” she said. “In the same way, I want to share my faith and passion giving education in fine arts to children.”

For more information, email Glath at alinaglath@gmail.com.

Alina Glath, impressionist-inspired artist and Butler resident, is bringing children's art classes at Downtown Sounds on North Washington Street starting this month. Submitted Photo