Art teacher opens studio space in downtown Weiser

A new art studio owned and operated by local artist and teacher Bonnie Akbar will offer a variety of art classes for all ages including paint nights, monthly after school art classes, and even a space to work on individual projects.
    Akbar is currently working hard on giving the space a face lift as she prepares for the opening of Artful Bon’s at the end of August.
    Akbar has been an artist focusing on a variety of mediums for her entire life. Her mother was an artist and inspired her to be creative and try different things when it came to creating art. When she was younger it was sketching and drawing, but she found painting in college.
    She stopped painting when she had kids. Then, in 2011, Akbar was in a car accident and found her way back to painting as she recovered. The art helped her reconnect her body to her brain and rebuild her mind as well as helped her focus when she was struggling with anxiety.
    A year and a half later, Akbar lost her husband to a heart attack and once again she found herself strengthened and comforted by the paintbrush.
    “Life has taught me that we are never really in control, even when we think we are. Life is too short. And art is  therapy,” Akbar said.
    Akbar continued to grow as an artist when she moved to Weiser to be closer to her parents. Then in 2017 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, she realized that art could not only be a source of therapy for her but also a way to give back.
    After her radiation therapy, Akbar began offering painting classes on evenings and weekends. While everyone has always been welcome, the classes are always free to cancer patients.
    Akbar taught school for 24 years, and this year, after her mom’s passing, Akbar decided it was time to take a step back and try something that would allow for a different pace and a new focus. So, she began a “sabbatical” from teaching.
    Throughout the last year when she discussed dreams and goals with her students, she told them that one of her own personal goals was to open an art studio of her own.
 Although, she did not expect it to happen so quickly at the time, when the opportunity presented itself, Akbar realized it was time to go for it.
    “I really believe that I have been very blessed that my journey through all its ups and downs has led me to this point. I have always loved teaching and I have always believed that everyone is an artist. I hope to be able to teach students of all ages to discover what can help them become that artist,” Akbar said.
    Akbar hopes to offer a variety of classes exploring mediums from traditional painting to pastels, beadwork, carving stamps, soap-making for all ages and even STEM classes for youth.  
    The new studio is located at 19 East Main St., across from Zions Bank. The studio will be open every Thursday, Friday Saturday and possibly Sunday afternoons, starting Friday, Aug. 23, and will also be available for groups by appointment.  
    Akbar wants the studio to be welcome to artists of all levels to come for classes, the project of the month, and even to touch up and or finish paintings they’ve already started.