Art Studio Offers Classes to Children With Special Needs

Beth Bodenmiller opened Mini Monet, an art studio on Long Island, to teach kids that there is no right or wrong way to make art. Mini Monet offers classes to children older than 18 months, adults, and children with special needs.

Emilie Leibstein (left) and Katrina Giuffrida (right) work
on their art skills with owner Beth Bodenmiller (center).

Mini Monet, a new art studio in Sayville owned by Beth Bodenmiller, teaches kids that there is no right or wrong way to make art. The art studio opened in June and offers classes for children ages 18 months to 18 years, adult classes, and classes for children with special needs.

“Not every child is meant to play lacrosse or gymnastics, some kids are more creative,” Bodenmiller says. The classes are during the day and include painting and drawing, fabric design, mommy and me, graffiti, and more. There is also open studio time where kids can create their own projects. Bodenmiller says she wants kids to feel comfortable to explore and express themselves.

With the help of her partner Debbie Woltmann, Bodenmiller’s classes at Mini Monet have structure and are a learning experience. They talk about art and expression and create art in the styles of different artists, such as Picasso and Georgia O’Keefe. The classes for children with special needs have a 5-to-1 child-to-teacher ratio and create a sense of well-being for the children. The students will have hands-on art experiences, which help with any sensory issues the children may have.

Bodenmiller has always loved kids and transitioned from working in the textiles industry to opening Mini Monet so she could spend more time with her own.