Bringing Art to Community
The Origin of the Tiny School of Art & Design
The original signage took some time to collect. However, it also is no longer on the side of the Tiny School! Funny story — a storm took the letter “t” and it flew off into a small northern town. It’s our hope to get signage that is less aerodynamic in 2025!
Art has a unique power to connect, inspire, and educate. Yet, access to art education is not always equitable, particularly in remote areas. Enter the Tiny School of Art & Design, a creative venture on wheels aimed at making art accessible to everyone, everywhere.
The brainchild of a passionate teaching artist, this mobile art studio was born from a love for travel and a desire to share art with communities across Minnesota. The idea was simple but transformative: bring the art studio to the people. In 2019, the dream became a reality with the creation of a vibrant trailer that houses a world of artistic possibilities.
Building the Tiny School was a labor of love. Crafted from scratch with the help of friends and skilled welders, the process was intensive. From riveting nearly a thousand times by hand to painting and furnishing the trailer, every detail was meticulously planned and executed. The collaborative effort included the artist's sons and their grandpa building drawing horses, while a great friend helped with priming and painting.
Heidi working on predrilling holes to capture the first round of rivets (which were not big enough to withstand the weather.) She had to do it all over again after a winter of expansion/ contraction. Not fun. Not fun at all…
The journey of the Tiny School began with its first voyage to St. Francis Music Center’s Green Fair, Caponi Art Park and various farmers markets, thanks to support from SproutMN and a grant from the McKnight Foundation. The launch at the Rural Art Summit in Grand Rapids marked a significant milestone, despite a stormy setback that necessitated some roof repairs.
However, like many ventures, the Tiny School faced challenges during the pandemic. Despite the allure of outdoor events, the uncertainty of scheduling led to a pause in its travels. Instead, this time was used to refine teaching and art skills, along with nurturing the dream of opening a gallery.
The Tiny School of Art & Design is more than a mobile studio; it is a testament to creativity and resilience. It embodies the belief that art should be accessible to all, regardless of geography or experience. As the world reopens, this little trailer is ready to roll out once again, bringing the joy of art to communities near and far.
Fresh paint, and looking real good… (2019)