By Sanjeev Selvarajah

Now here’s something—pay an artist for their time— that’s just what artist and entrepreneur Danielle Festa set out to teach with a barrage of Interdisciplinary courses during this month of January, at Washington Street Art Center, a popular source inspiring and here seating people in front of instructors who guide the Somerville art-scene about making a living with artistic expression.

Danielle Festa’s supplementary continuing online network, Creative Living Works, and its course-load for the business glazed minds, young or old, will be taking their Web address to the Somerville address of 321 Washington Street for a few more Saturdays (12:00–4:00 p.m.). The Steve GutenBAND and The Breakfast Project will be performing live during the closing reception, January 30.

“I am running the event myself with a business I’ve established in May of 2015 called Creative Living Works. I founded it with the intention of connecting creative professionals from various backgrounds in one online community with skill-share courses, webinars, educational resources and shared opportunities for advancing creative careers. Crossing 21 disciplines, the website allows users to create a profile as a networking hub, share a portfolio and offer services for hire,” says Danielle.

“I also wanted to encourage the local artists who I’ve recorded as instructors on the Creative Living Works website to teach workshops at the gallery. There will be two courses remaining to sign up for: Shibori Dyeing and Block Printing, taught by Sandhya Garg who is a former Project Runway contestant. People can sign up for both at CreativeLivingWorks.com/Interdisciplinary,” informs Danielle.

Long time contributor to Washington St. Gallery, Gretchen Graham said this about the Festas: “The high level of professionalism and knowledge of instructor Mike Festa, the on-point and relaxed conversational style between him and Danielle… [and Danielle] whose organizational capabilities match her level of artistry. I’ve never seen anyone so dedicated to a good idea make it happen so well.”

Oh yeah, and the opening reception captured live in VIRTUAL REALITY, courtesy of Stream VR, is accessible from most Web setups, from cell to desktop/laptop—beat that! “I attended CLW’s Virtual Reality workshop live, on my phone, and it was great! Coincidentally, I’d just finished production work as an editorial assistant on an O’Reilly Media book, “Learning Virtual Reality,” and it was amazing to see some of the VR process, theory, and materials involved come to life!” finishes Gretchen.

~Photos by Divine Beauty Photography