About Turtle Studios
Turtle Studios is a democratic artist community that nurtures art-making and creativity in a non-competitive environment.
We welcome people of all traditions, cultures, ages, and economic means, with or without prior art experience. The artist community provides valuable support and encouragement as individuals pursue their own work.
Our shared studio space is located in the Nonantum neighborhood of Newton, MA. Our diverse community of member artists work in a variety of media, sharing workspace as well as ideas and experiences to create a community of sharing and support for their independent artistic goals.
Mission
Turtle Studios is a participatory, democratic artist community that strives to provide a safe, supportive learning environment where the individual’s creative process, values and aesthetics are respected without judgment. We welcome people of diverse economic means and experiences. We share our workspace and we share the responsibilities of managing, running, and keeping Turtle Studios afloat.
History and Founding Principles
The studio was founded in the early 1980s by artist and educator Kate Ransohoff who opened her Cambridge studio, called Roseland to a group of artists. The artists worked in a shared space, benefitting from seeing each others’ works in progress. The group grew and in 1985 moved to Morse Street in Watertown. In 2000, the artists relocated to Watertown, adopted the name Turtle Studios, incorporated and became a non-profit organization. In December 2014, Turtle Studios relocated to our current space in Newton.
The Turtle Studios library includes original writings by Kate Ransohoff and others about the studio and the founding philosophies of the studio.
Play was a founding principal of the studio, stemming from the Summerhill pedagogic tradition, allows exploration and opens up a creative seed. Play gives one an opportunity to suspend their habitual reality and step into a place where new possibilities, new directions abound.
We believe in playing, messing around and the engagement of the senses. This can lead to a different brain state where exploration of new possibilities and new directions can be achieved. The studio has many materials available to encourage the use of play.
We share four principles: art making matters, the person matters, meaning matters, and deep values matter.
Non-Profit Status
Turtle Studios is a tax-exempt, 501(c)3, non-profit organization. As such, it is committed to providing educational and cultural benefit to the community. Donations are tax deductible and always appreciated. A copy of Turtle Studios by-laws can be found in the library. We have a scholarship fund to enable us to offer membership to as wide a variety of artists and writers as possible.
Programs include weekly and intensive art making workshops open to all, public events including exhibitions and artist nights, a resource library, and open studios.
You can help support these programs right now with a tax-deductible donation. Any amount is accepted.
Opportunities also exist for underwriting and sponsorship. You are welcome to inquire at info@turtlestudios.org.