Hello all,

I am excited to announce the opening (finally!!) of The bee’s Knees Creative Arts Center and Café. I am a Montclair mom who used to commute into the city to work in corporate America. I missed my kids, and as great as our transit system is, I hated that bus ride! I wanted to create something which would speak to the need to offer our kids something better than what already exists and also offer something to other Montclair moms and dads, which can help us, better manage our family lives as well as our own personal needs. (I know, a tall order!)

So, I created the Bee’s Knees. It is a multi-disciplinary arts center with a focus on innovation and the Montclair community. Our teachers are artists and experienced educators who are passionate about their work. They design classes based on their experience as artists, their education and their first-hand understanding that will inspire children to the power and heart-pounding excitement of the arts.

At the Bee’s Knees, we are partnering with several Montclair businesses and schools as well as inviting different mother and holistic groups to meet at our cafe. My goal is to build a company based in the community, made up of the community and serving the community.

Our mantra is Innovation, Creation, and Community!

We are offering a variety of programs for children from 6 months to 16 years old, as well as classes and workshops for adults. Classes Some evenings we will also offer events, lectures and workshops for adults all focusing on Balance and Transition, as in financial balance, nutritional balance and home décor needs, as well as tools and services for all those people transitioning in and out of the work place.

My strangely eclectic background has helped me in knowing how to partner successfully with local businesses, how to hire the right teachers and how to create the right environment. I have an MFA in Creative Writing, taught writing to kids and adults in New York, New Orleans and San Francisco. In teaching writing to kids, I discovered that often sensitive issues came up which I wanted to be able to address, so I went back to school for a Master’s degree in Social Work. I worked for 6 years in group homes with tweens and teens and in private practice. I then made a large leap and ended up founding and running what became an 80 person integrated Advertising agency called Atmosphere, which was bought out by BBDO. So, in short- I have done several things to prepare for opening this center and I am thrilled on so many levels.

All of this to say I am thrilled and honored to have the opportunity to build a dream which may speak to some of your wishes and dreams and your children’s.

Founder,

Susan Pinkwater