Tucked deep in the heart of Brooklyn Centre – beyond Akron city limits and the Cleveland skyline - stands a domed 1948 Quonset hut. In the midst of boarded houses, abandoned cars and empty storefronts, this place is alive with excitement. Renovated to accommodate hands-on art studios, galleries and classrooms, the building is home to Art House.

On this day, Art House is holding its annual Holiday Sale. Vendors shuffle about checking items and chatting with customers. Parents reign in their children who have been delighting themselves at the dessert table. Customers eagerly browse hand-made jewelry, ceramics and tapestries that decorate the large gallery.

The Holiday Sale, which is only one of the many public events hosted by Art House, draws dozens of local artists to Brooklyn Centre every year.

"This is such a great treasure for the community," said one local artist selling her ware at the Holiday Sale. "Art House is all about serving the public."

Sheryl Hoffman, executive director of Art House said, "We offer after-school programs for youth, family open studio programs at reduced rates, community open house programs, and student exhibits."

The classes offered to the general public range as much in age group as they do in art genre. Ceramics, printmaking, jewelry design and painting are some of the skills professional artists offer to students ranging from young children to adults.

"We continue to offer and expand our arts education programs within Cleveland and hope to reach out to other urban locations such as Akron and Lorain," Hoffman said. Every third Saturday of the month, beginning in early 2007, Art House will open its doors to families for hands-on, self-guided activities during their Family Open Studio program. Supplies that parents and children need to create paintings, clay-figures and other crafts are provided.

As she browses a table full of holiday prints, Hoffman says, "What is most rewarding is providing the opportunity for people to participate in the arts, making art accessible, and giving people the tools they need to better understand art and the art-making process. Art House serves communities."

Brooklyn Center is a small, historic neighborhood outside downtown Cleveland. It is accessible from I-77. For more information on Art House and the programs it offers for the public call (216) 398-8556.