Estudio M is located in uptown New Orleans between Louisiana and Napoleon at 3941 Tchoupitoulas St. This area is being “rediscovered”. There is a lot going on in the downtown side of Tchoupitoulas St. from the expansion of the New Orleans Convention Center to the development of the Walmart Superstore and new housing construction combining high end with middle class housing. This concept is a new experiment in New Orleans that will be in the 100′s of millions when is finalized.

The studio building was purchased on July 2003 by Raymond and Marla Donovan. The primary purpose of the studio at the time in 2003 was to share space with “creative” minds. Starting in January 2011 after a long career in government, Marla retired and is dedicating 100% of her time to Estudio M.

Estudio M is a ceramic art educational resource for the community at large focusing in clay art.

At Estudio M

Learn the art of pottery through slab and wheel classes. Instruction activities for children and adults will be offered. Advanced classes in slab building will be offered to children and advance potters have an opportunity to use the studio’s facility for a daily charge. Private lessons to children and adults, as well as school breaks and summer art classes for children, will be offered starting the summer of 2011. See published schedule for summer camp.

Open studio time can be purchased by potters and sculptures for independent work. Teachers, non-profits, birthday party events for children and adults as well as gift certificates are will be also available. Estudio M also has handmade pottery, and paintings made by local artists. Estudio M’s business is important as it produces taxes for the city and provides an opportunity for children and adults’ creativity, and opportunity for the experienced artist with no studio of his/her own to have a place to create art pieces.

Marla Donovan – Owner, Artist

Marla, a native of Colombia, South America is a resident of Kenner for the last 42 years.

She holds an Associate Degree in Business from Delgado Community College and a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Sciences from Loyola University in New Orleans.

Marla’s past experience is in banking/finances. Her love for the arts made it possible for her to have her own art studio. Her financial experience and her entrepreneurial spirit helped Marla set up her art studio.

Since 2003, Marla owns Estudio M. For the last 9 years, Marla held art shows for local artists presenting works of all type of mediums giving the artists an opportunity to be known and sell their art work.  The shows have been very successful.  The last show which included 10 local artists was held on November 2010, and it was very successful.

Since January 2011, Marla has been teaching clay hand building, and ceramics.  She teaches adults as well as children starting at the age of 5 years old.  In the summer of 2011, Marla held numerous teaching sessions and summer camps for children at Estudio M.  Her classes included an overall overview of a clay art studio and how to work with clay and already made ceramics.

Marla is represented by D.O.C.S. Gallery of Modern Art in New Orleans.  Her creations are sold through the gallery and Estudio M.  Her last art exhibit was held at the JW Marriott, New Orleans on October 2011, and it was very successful.

Marla also produces commissioned art work. In addition, Marla donates her art work to charitable organizations.

Contact her: marla@estudiomneworleans.com

Ernesto (Ernie) Manzanera – Artist

Ernie was born in Gretna, La on December 5, 1972. He spent his early years in New Orleans until he moved to Colombia, South America to attend school and learn Spanish. When he came back from Colombia after a number of years he made Boca Raton, Florida, his home until June 2005 when he moved to New Orleans.

After graduating from high school in Florida he attended college in Boca Raton. Ernie’s love is cooking and the arts. He worked as a chef at many restaurants in Florida until he came to New Orleans, where he attended Delgado College Culinary Arts for over two years.

Even when cooking, Ernie was thinking about painting and sculpturing. He is now attending University of New Orleans to complete a fine arts degree. Ernie also loves teaching. He is working with his mother Marla Donovan, owner of Estudio M at the studio, selling his work through the studio.

Ernie had a joint art exhibit of clay art with Marla at the JW Marriott last October 26, 2011. He sold 50% of the pieces he presented. He has made several commissioned art pieces.

He can be contacted at 504-881-0443, by email ernie@estudiomneworleans.com, or by appointment at Estudio M, 3941 Tchoupitoulas St. New Orleans, La 70115