Ithaca Art Factory opens for businessIthaca Advantage ...

In these photos, Ed Marion is standing in front of a painting he is working on in the light-filled cavernous white box of an art studio. He’s not alone. On the stereo’s speakers, Louis Prima is leading a full orchestra and Ed is teaching his art students to paint pineapples. Yes, pineapples. Students are comparing their work to his and each other and people with no prior art experience can’t believe they are making the painting before their eyes. Is this a dream? A short fiction story? A deleted scene from the film “Big Night?”

No, It’s real. Ithaca painter Ed Marion, has just opened the Ithaca Art Factory at 210 Elmira Rd., across the street from Lucatelli’s and around the corner from Northside Wines. Part teaching classroom, part working art studio, and part art gallery, the Ithaca Art Factory is something to see, and something to participate in and enjoy.

“I’ve wanted to bring this art-making concept to Ithaca for some time, and happily, that time is now,” said Marion, a local painter who has shown his work in Ithaca for the last six years.

The Ithaca Art Factory is many things. But first, and foremost, it will be the place in Ithaca where people come to make art with their friends and community in a party atmosphere fueled by great music, and fueled also by the passion and encouragement of Ed, who sees the Factory’s mission to get people in Ithaca making their own paintings.

“If we had a tagline, it would be art gets made here,’ Marion added.

The premise of the Factory is simple. People go online to www.ithacaartfactory.com and click on the “class calendar.” From the calendar, you can select any painting that you would like to paint yourself. Patrons pay $35 at the time of sign-up, or $30 each if they sign up a friend at the time of online registration. Then you just show up for class. Ithaca Art Factory supplies the 16″ x 20″ canvas, acrylic paints, brushes, easels, aprons, art instruction and musical inspiration for each painter to make and finish their own painting in two hours to bring home with them.

“It’s basically like walking into your own art studio and painting with your friends for two hours,” said Marion. “It’s a great way to unwind on a Friday or Saturday night or to start the week with a Sunday afternoon class to unleash the creativity within you.”

It also helps that Marion teaches all of the classes. Part artist, part stand-up comedian, and part DJ, Marion’s aim is make sure that each patron not only has a great experience, but that they also learn something about painting that fuels their passion to make art.

“I want the Factory to be a place where people basically feel like they are walking into their own art studio, playing their albums on the stereo, and making their very own masterpieces,” Marion said.

In addition to classes that teach a particular painting, patrons can sign up for open studio sessions each Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m., where they can come in and work on any painting they like. Marion is always around to give guidance and suggestions, and all of the painting class benefits apply. Ithaca Art Factory supplies the canvas, paints, brushes, etc. “These are great sessions for folks wanting to work on their own paintings and I’m always around to help,” says Marion.

It’s no surprise that Marion has built Ithaca Art Factory out of his dreams. He was the catalyst for the founding of the Ithaca Festival Paint Off when he was on their Board of Directors. “I’m making the Factory into my initial vision of the Paint Off, a place where painters, and especially non-painters, can come to express their creativity; except at the Factory, you can do it with some loud rocking music and you can do it night after night after night.”

To that end, the Factory books private painting events, all taught by Marion, on any night or day a class is not in session. “This is a perfect venue and activity for birthday parties, private parties, corporate parties, or really any event that brings people together for fun,” he added.

Marion is also opening his doors to Ithaca’s non-profits to host their fundrasing events at the Factory. “What better way to bring Ithaca’s philanthropic communities together than by bringing their supporters together to make art.”

One of the things that excites Marion so much is that each week and month will feature new classes at the Factory. In February, he is offering discounts to all guests during Ithaca Loves Teachers Week (www.ithacalovesteachers.com).

“All of our $35 classes will be $25 and all of our $25 open studio sessions will be $20, just as a way of saying thank you to Ithaca and all those who love to visit Ithaca,” says Marion. “I’m excited that people who visit Ithaca will go home that week with a piece of art they made on their visit.”

Marion is also chomping at the bit for some good Spring weather so he can throw open the two huge garage doors to the painting classroom. According to Marion, people will not only be able to paint in the studio classroom, but they will paint al fresco; something akin to having a great dinner at your favorite restaurant while sitting next to some great French doors that have just been opened to bring the outside into your space.”

He added, “If I knew how to play guitar, I’d throw rock concerts here. But in the meantime, I’ll just paint some rock stars and invite everyone to come paint them with me.”