Among the buzz of creativity and the scent of fresh paint, a community of young artists creating–one brushstroke at a time. The Hermosa Beach art studio and gallery, Resin, creates a sense of community that helps artists grow personally and artistically, according to senior Declan Goldstein. He started going to Resin as a student in seventh grade, looking for a “fun creative outlet.” However, he now works as a paid employee and mentors students.
“I usually help out with the after-school programs they have there, but I also help design some of the logos and posters for the art shows or anything else they need,” Goldstein said. “Resin employees typically are there to help the kids with anything they need. We set up for art time, clean up the studio and keep everything in order for the students.”
Junior Maddy Bain began volunteering at Resin last summer. She assists the youth lessons and listens to the messages taught to students.
“Usually we sit through the youth lessons [while] the lesson instructor leads them and talks about awareness, acceptance, intention, gratitude, compassion, forgiveness and connection. It helps shape the kids as people,” Bain said. “It’s rewarding seeing that the kids remember the lessons as well. It’s good to know these kids are learning these good life skills early on.”
Resin’s overall goal is to help students express themselves artistically as well as teach kids how to manage their emotions which in turn, shines through when they are going through the creative process. The principles of these mindsets create a shift in the way they view themselves, the people around them and their creative skills.
“The lessons we hold before creative art time are so much for the kids as they are for the employees, just simple things like compassion and acceptance opens a different door in our mind,” Goldstein said.
For Goldstein, his experience at the studio has shaped him for the better and he was able to “grow so much” from first coming there.
“Just recently, I was teaching this kid how to paint a brushstroke. When I first started there I never really painted, I mainly did street art, but one of my best friends who works there now taught me how to paint and I thought that that was such a full circle moment,” Goldstein said.
During his time working at Resin, Goldstein was able to look back on when he was a student and how the ability to unleash his creativity allowed him to explore his artistic side without restriction.
“Throughout the classes, we encourage kids to explore different realms of creativity that a lot of the time, schools and most art classes aren’t able to teach,” Goldstein said. “We don’t have a structured system of instruction the kids need to follow, it’s like a kid in a candy store, they can put out their creativity anyway they want.”
During Bain’s and Goldstein’s time as students, the studio’s encouragement of free expression helped them grow independently and show uniqueness through their art.
“[Resin] gives them a chance where if they don’t have time in school or at home they can take this moment to fully express themselves with no stress or distractions,” Bain said. “I know when I was a student, I had so much on my shoulders from school but coming to the studio to let out my stress helped me so much.”
In this stress-free environment, kids have the chance to openly share their creativity in ways they might not have the chance elsewhere. With access to different art styles such as paint, resin, digital art, ceramics, glass and fabric, the opportunities for diverse and innovative thoughts thrive endlessly.
“Almost every creative medium there is, we have in the studio, and if there isn’t, the kids can introduce it to the class. It’s a great community where there are so many different minds with unique ideas,” Goldstein said.
The studio’s diverse and creative community not only allows kids to explore various artistic styles but also gives them opportunities to share their work with others.
“More so with the youth we really try to get them out there. Every summer, the Young Artist Society hosts shows at Resin to showcase and promote the kids’ art. We had an art show this past Halloween that was solely dedicated to young art, where kids from different schools came to have their art displayed,” Goldstein said.
These art shows give young artists a platform to share their work and grow in their creative journey. From being closed off to one art style to expanding his art skills through the support of the studio, the various mediums offered by the studio nudged him to try something new.
“I started going to Resin as a student and I only kept my focus on spray painting but through that, I learned to paint these huge paintings,” Goldstein said. “I learned how to do graphic design and now that’s what I’m going to [college for]. I’ve learned a lot of small creative and artistic tools that have now helped propel me to what I’m going to later do in my career.”
Giving back to the Resin community was always what Goldstein wanted to do, and helping kids explore their creativity did just that.
“Being able to give back to this growing community that helped me so much during COVID-19 and even throughout life is just the coolest thing to me,” Goldstein said. “It is a job, but for me, I just go there to have fun. Sometimes with those kids, it’s controlled chaos, but they go home with a smile on their face and that’s all that matters.”