​                                   Marfa, a Small Town with Museums

Each year, all SITES students have the opportunity to visit local galleries and art institutions including Ballroom Marfa, Ayn Foundation, and the Judd and Chinati Foundations. Exposure to these world renowned exhibitions and art collections broadens the students' awareness of art, architecture and design.  It simultaneously introduces them to important art resources located within their own community.

ABOUT

The Marfa Studio of Arts (MSA) is a non-profit 501c3 organization located in Marfa, Texas. Marfa is situated 60 miles North of the U.S./Mexico border. MSA is the only organization in the city providing year round arts programming for children and young adults. All programs and activities are offered free of charge. MSA maintains a 1000-square foot gallery that shows local artists, community programming and the art work of our Studio in the Elementary School Program. The MSA Store sells products designed by our staff, teachers and the children of  art the program as well as local artist and crafts persons.

HISTORY

The Marfa Studio of Arts was founded in 2000 by artist/arts educator Malinda Beeman. At that time, the growth of contemporary arts institutions, the pristine landscape and the unique nature of the place attracted many artists and new residents to Marfa.
These new residents found themselves in a community of multiple generational Hispanic families as well as a strong ranching tradition. As the culture of Marfa was changing, the Marfa Studio of Arts developed its mission to create a bridge of understanding to engage these diverse groups through the artistic experience.
Our years of programming include adult arts education, children’s weekend art classes, after school teen program, an exhibition space for Texas artists as well as a small store selling area artists work. In 2005, the SITES (Studio in the Elementary School) program was developed and in several years became an important focus of the organizations mission. To this day, the Marfa Studio of Arts is the only arts institution in Marfa that offers a year round and "in school" arts program to the children of the community ​. We support the vision of the area artists by offering a professional exhibition space to show their work.

                                                                our staff