LOGAN – Jump the Moon art studio is having a Grand Re-Opening on Thursday May 30, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at their new location at 48 North 100 West in Logan.
“May 30 is National Creativity Day,” said Michael Bingham, the founder and creative director of Jump the Moon. “What a good day for a ribbon cutting and grand opening.”
The new location of Jump the Moon has a huge astronaut suspended on a light pole in front of the building making it easy to find.
The ceremony will include studio tours and demonstrations of “the most innovative nonprofit art studio on the planet,” a flyer for the occasion said.
The ribbon cutting ceremony is at 11 a.m.
Bingham said he has been trying to make his passion of helping people with special needs create art for 14 years and has found the ideal location with a perfect layout.
“This is the studio I have dreamed of having,” he said. “Not only do we have space to create art, but we also have gallery space and a library with a large collection of art books.”
Bingham said they built a large ADA accessible bathroom big enough to accommodate people who use motorized wheelchairs. The studio is attracting attention with people walking in to see what he and his friends are doing.
Bingham is the founder but he has a group of volunteers who come in and make everything possible.
“We have more space and can accommodate larger groups of people who want to help,” he said. “Groups have been coming in about every other day.”
The studio had a new pendulum with a remote designed by Utah State University’s engineering program.
“I don’t know of anyone else that has a system like this,” Bingham said. “It has six different colors with a reverse, with a motor that raises and lowers the sprayer at different elevations.”
There is a sign on the building that says, ”Artwork for Sale.” There is a gallery space and there is an art contest. The winners will be announced on May 30.
“The city has been very helpful with the building,” he said. “It seems like the right people come along at the right moment when I need something.”
He wonders if he lived in another community, would he have the same kind of help?
“I am grateful for the community,” he said. “This is a great place to live.”
Bingham is a graduate of the prestigious Art Center School of Design and a former artist for Hallmark Cards.
He has over 40 years of experience as a professional artist, illustrator, designer, painter and sculptor, but his passion is working with people with what most people call disabilities. He refers to them as people with diverse abilities.
He has been known to attach brushes to wheelchairs and letting people with limited mobility make art. Bingham lights a fire of creativity under people who claim they can’t do art.
Bingham believes art can inspire, enlighten, and enrich the lives of every person.