Owner shares love of art and music through Goldie’s Studio
Art and music programs may be diminishing throughout the country, but G. Kim Franz, owner of Goldie’s Studio, 598 S. Decatur Blvd., aims to fill this void in Las Vegas.
Franz, who opened Goldie’s Studio in October, combines her passions of art and music by offering lessons in both subject areas. She specializes in teaching piano and string instruments, such as the banjo and the mandolin, and she provides opportunities to learn art techniques, ranging from pencil drawings to acrylic and oil paintings. The owner ran a similar gallery and studio in Portland, Ore., which she opened in 2006 after overcoming a broken neck that left her without feeling in her hands and feet and in a wheelchair for nearly 40 years.
“In 2006, I got my life back,” Franz said. “I opened up this studio in Oregon and taught guitar, mandolin and other string instruments. I had as many as 76 students.”
Franz’s success with her Portland studio, however, was short -lived. When the economy went south in 2007, the number of Franz’s students began to decrease, and her husband lost his job. The couple moved to Las Vegas in 2008, and Franz has been involved with the local art scene ever since. Her decision to open an art gallery and studio came when she noticed a disparity in the Las Vegas art scene.
“I entered some shows here, but what I didn’t see is Las Vegas having a middle-class niche for art,” Franz said. “There really isn’t a good market for corporate art, and I wanted to get people to buy (works) from local artisans.”
The gallery’s first exhibit, “From the Tropics to the Desert,” features works from local artist Laura Mikulich, who paints landscapes of places where she has lived, such as Las Vegas and Belize.
Mikulich said working with Franz in her new gallery is a “good fit ” as both women are working to bring Las Vegas artists to the forefront.
“It’s been a hard thing, promoting art in Vegas,” Mikulich said. “We’re trying to promote local art, and with Kim’s concept for a new gallery, I figured I’d help her. So far, it’s been a lot of fun.”
Franz’s showcase of local artists is set to continue with her first juried show, “Under the Tree,” from Dec. 1 to 22. She aims to bring in holiday-themed acrylic, oil and watercolor paintings and mixed-media pieces from Las Vegas artists with prizes as much as $100 for the top four entries. Franz plans to host one juried show per month.
Although various works of art are a large part of her business, Franz also enjoys sharing her passion for music through lessons she provides during the week. Children as young as 6 can start learning to play the piano for a $20 private lesson that runs at least 30 minutes. Franz also teaches lessons on the banjo, mandolin, guitar, dobro and dulcimer to students as young as 8 . Franz sees her role of teaching music as a way to help others become more well-rounded .
“Music opens a door to education,” Franz said. “I think music expands your horizons. Music and art allow you to be creative in a disciplined manner, and that’s an invaluable lesson.”
Although Franz’s studio is new, she has goals in sight for this endeavor.
“I don’t know if we’re going to be here a year from now,” Franz said, “but my vision for this (gallery/studio) is to get bigger and create a school.”
For gallery hours and more information on lessons, visit goldiesstudio.com or call 971 -235-1347.
Contact Paradise/Downtown View reporter Lisa Carter at lcarter@viewnews.com or 383-0492.
