Miss Emily Art has joined the team of retail boutiques and services available on Shepherdstown’s main street. This month Emily Vaughn and Michael Timothy Davis have joined forces to bring a new art school and studio space to Shepherdstown.

Vaughn shared the news Tuesday morning during one of the several childrens classes she offers weekly, now in the 110 West German St. space.

“We really like it. It’s just so perfect for us,” she said.

The pair will celebrate the opening of the new space with a special Open Studio event tomorrow, Saturday, May 2. From 12 to 3 p.m. Parents and kids can enjoy a free art activity and learn more about Miss Emily Art and from 3 to 6 p.m. adults can learn information about Davis’s classical art program.

Miss Emily Art has moved most of its long-time classes to the new space, with the exception of Toddler art, which will still be held at Four Seasons Books.

After three years at the bookstore, Vaughn said she is finally fulfilling a dream to have a school of her own with the new location.

“This is the space we’ve been waiting for all these years,” she said.

“We’ve always dreamed of having our own school.”

Vaughn said their vision is to introduce children to a foundation of art history ad appreciation though Miss Emilly Art and then instruct those same children in classical art through Davis’s classes as they grow into adults.

“We’ve always sort of imagined my children’s program as a feeder program for his.”

Davis’s classes are age 16 and up and focus on classical drawing and painting.

“Both of us see the decline of classical way of teaching things,” Vaughn said.

Davis explained that the classical approach emphasizes art basics and mechanics over concept.

“There’s just a heavy emphasis on learning how to draw what you see,” he said.

“Once they understand drawing, they’ll progress into painting.”

Vaughn and Davis said the classes are really helpful for those with little or no foundation in art at all.

Its also prohibitively expensive to go to art school now days, Vaughn said.

“Having a school like this is sort of an alternative way to learn how to really draw. And really learn about art…”

“It should be available and it should be affordable,” she said.

Miss Emily classes are held Wednesday, Thursdays, with a Sunday drop in studio.

Adult classes will be held Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, with a Friday open studio.

The new school will be formally called the “Badger Hound Studio,” named in honor of the couple’s dog, Fredo.

Davis has his own private studio space in the new school, which also includes a small library/lounge, a “art pantry” full of tools and supplies and the large shared studio classroom.

Vaughn said the pair also plan to use it as a gallery space. Davis will hold a show opening weekend of this summer’s Contemporary American Theater Festival for example.

“We’re selling our own work and teaching classes,” she said.

All of Vaughn’s classes have a drop in rate of $15, except Sunday, which is $10 an hour. Class cards are also available at $45 for four classes.

Davis offers one weekly class with 3 hours of instruction time per week. Cost is $200 for four classes, or $300 for full studio access.

Miss Emily also teaches art parties. More information about each program and their offerings can be found by visiting michaeltimothydavis.com and missemilyart.com/..