Room 13
Description of the Program
Room 13 is an international network of student-driven creative studios founded in 1994 in Caol, Scotland. The initiative has expanded throughout Europe, India, South Africa, North America, Asia, and other locations, to include 93 studios worldwide.
The Room 13 studio model is based upon four pillars of learning: philosophical inquiry, creative expression, reciprocal learning, and business enterprise. Each studio is guided by an artist-in-residence, referred to as AiR, who facilitates the students in their studio practice and achievement of the four stated objectives.
Each studio is led by a student management team, responsible for decision-making and implementation of the business model. Each Room 13 studio, through its business practice, is expected to be self-sustaining to the best of its ability.
In 2008, Light Bringer Project, a Pasadena-based nonprofit arts organization, established the first Room 13 in North America, at James Foshay Learning Center in South Los Angeles. The following year, the organization launched the second Room 13 studio at Eliot Middle School in Altadena. Soon after, Room 13 Marjorie, a neighborhood model, was begun in the South Bay area. In the fall of 2010, Light Bringer Project opened the fourth Room 13 studio at John Muir High School in Pasadena.
In summer of 2011, Thomas Coston, President of Light Bringer Project, was appointed to the Room 13 International Board of Trustees. Light Bringer Project has become a communications conduit for people who want to start a new Room 13 in the North American hemisphere. Since the opening of four Room 13’s in Southern California, new studios are always being formed. Room13/Boone, in North Carolina, is a recent start up, as is Room13/Dillsboro, in Indiana. Other studios are being considered in Tujunga, CA; New York City; Denver, Colorado; Des Moines, Iowa; Oaxaca, Mexico; Bentonville, Arkansas; and Mississauga, in Ontario, Canada. A recent display showing in Pasadena’s Public Library is inspiring a Room13 to start in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Room 13 Artist-in-Residence
It is the main responsibility of the Room 13 AiR, to support the young artist participants and to uphold the four guiding pillars of Room 13 International model. Respect for individuals and for individuals’ creative expression is an inherent value of Room 13 which the AiR promotes at all times.
Typically described as the studio’s primary ‘adult influence,’ the AiR oversees all aspects of the Room 13 studio and experience. As an important part of engendering inquiry, idea-making and creative expression, the AiR also produces their own art within the studio environment as part of its shared art making experience.
Light Bringer Project started the following studios in North America:
Room13/Eliot
Eliot Middle School
2184 Lake Ave
Altadena CA 91001
Studio Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 2:30-5:30
AiR: Amber Tilden
Room13eliot@gmail.com
www.tildenart.com
Room13/Muir
John Muir High School
1905 Lincoln Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91103
Studio Hours: Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday 3:15-6:15
AiR: Mri Scott ElBey
Room13_johnmuir@hotmail.com
Room13/Foshay
James Foshay Learning Center
3751 S. Harvard
Los Angeles, CA 90018
Studio Hours: everyday
AiR: John Midby, Kathia Dungplata
(323) 373-2700
Room13LaFoshay@aol.com
Room13/Marjorie
The Edelstein’s
Torrance, CA
AiR: Jessica and Andrew Edlestein
Jessica@projectdesignstudio.com
We are always looking for mentors in art and business to help us grow. Please contact Light Bringer Project (626) 590.1134 or LBP@earthlink.net
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Room 13 is supported in part by a grant award from the Los Angeles County Arts Commission