ART 101

Twenty years ago, a young art teacher moved to Saline County with a mission she didn’t quite know she had yet. Today, that same teacher, Mary Ann Elkin, is the heart and soul of one of Saline County’s most beloved creative spaces. As the founder of ART101, she has built a thriving hub for artistic expression that’s making lives more colorful in the community, one artist and one canvas at a time. 

This fact may come as a surprise to Mary Ann’s fans, but she hasn’t always been a fan of art. “I actually hated art as a kid,” she says. “I loved drawing at home, but I had a mean art teacher who made school art a nightmare.” It wasn’t until a family move from Iowa to Fort Smith in 1995 that everything changed. “My mom encouraged me to try art class again, and I had an amazing teacher that year. I even won a state art contest! That’s when I knew: this is what I want to do.”

From that moment, art became more than a hobby—it became a passion. And years later, after an internship at the Smithsonian where she worked with children, that passion evolved into a calling. “That experience helped me realize that I didn’t just love art, I loved sharing it with kids.”  

Today, with a degree in art education, Mary Ann channels that love into her full-time role as an elementary art teacher at Howard Perrin Elementary in Benton, teaching kindergarten through fourth grade. But her impact doesn’t stop when the school bell rings.

During the afternoons, weekends, and summers, you’ll find her at ART101, a vibrant art studio she started around 2018 “by accident,” as she puts it, with a humble beginning in the back of a friend’s business.

“It really started small,” she recalls. “Donna Hill had a classroom space and let me use it occasionally. Then I started getting more requests for classes, then for parties. It just kept growing.”

When that original space became unavailable, she faced a pivotal choice: expand or shut down. That’s when her church community stepped in. “Pastor Ryan Ingold at Crosspointe Church believed in our mission and let us renovate and use the basement space. It’s been an incredible blessing. We’re right across from the park, next to the snow cone stand, and part of this special neighborhood.”

Today, ART101 is far more than a basement studio. It’s a full-service creative playground where kids and adults alike can explore, experiment, and express themselves. The mission is clear: create a space where everyone, especially kids, feels valued, supported, and inspired.

“Since I didn’t enjoy art class as a child, I’m passionate about creating a fun, structured environment where kids feel successful,” she explains. “Every child deserves to feel proud of what they’ve created.”

And it shows. ART101 offers everything from after-school classes and summer camps to custom-themed birthday parties that are as memorable as they are messy (in the best way). They offer paint parties, board parties, and parties incorporating glow, slime, sewing, and STEAM. 

They’ve done every theme possible and even hosted parties for adults. ”We’ve done everything from ‘space dinosaur’ to ‘princess flamingo.’ If you can imagine it, we can probably create it.”

Each party is completely tailored, down to the digital signage on the studio TVs and a custom chalkboard welcome sign by the road. “I think that’s what makes us unique – everything we do is custom to you. We do balloons, table covers, and decor to match your party and color scheme. No two parties are alike, just like no two kids are alike,” she says.

Beyond parties, the studio offers advanced classes, stained glass workshops, sewing, STEAM projects, and even adult paint nights. With a team of certified art educators, including Caitlin Benton, who helps run the studio and leads stained glass classes, and Laura Curry, who teaches little artists and assists with birthday parties, ART101 is a professional operation rooted in genuine love for the craft.

Caitlin’s stained-glass class is twice a month, Mary Ann says, adding that the business is working toward adding a mosaics class soon. ”We are constantly growing as artists and teachers, so we are always trying to incorporate new experiences!” 

Mary Ann’s focus is on establishing a safe art space in the community for generations to come. “I want ART101 to continue even if I’m not there someday,” she shares. “This is about building a legacy of excellence and creativity for the kids (and adults) of Saline County.”

And that legacy is already in full bloom. Through its philosophy grounded in accessibility, joy, and individual expression, ART101 proves that everyone, regardless of age or experience, can benefit from making art.

“Art means something different to everyone,” she says. “But at ART101, we’re committed to making each experience fun, expressive, and positive. We want people to walk out feeling good.”

From reluctant student to passionate educator, from one class in a borrowed room to a community cornerstone, Mary Ann’s journey is living proof of the transformative power of art and the difference one teacher can make.