Mess Arts

MessArts is a community minded visual arts education program for all ages. Mission:

MessArts is a community minded visual arts education program for all ages.

We facilitate a collaborative studio environment which balances rigor and play. MessArts teaching makes fine arts and craft approachable in order to enrich and challenge our understanding of art. MessArts is a arts organization founded by of Mahala Miller (she/her) and Ness Kent (they/them). The collaborative pair met at Rhode Island School of Design and graduated in 2019. Mahala is a painter wit

h a BFA in painting and a MA in teaching and learning. Ness is a potter with a BFA in Sculpture. They both are active artists as well as educators and have a passion for sharing their arts knowledge. Mahala Miller
Programs Coordinator, Co-founder, Teaching Artist

Ness Kent
Executive Director, Co-founder, Teaching Artist

In 2022 we decided to put on a Spring Break camp for kids we knew through teaching with other organizations. The young artists had a blast exploring pottery, paper marbling, and making puppets! We realized this could be something we could continue to grow into a community arts program that expands outside of our living room, kitchen, and backyard. Putting on our first “Bywater Backyard Arts camp” gave us the opportunity to teach in ways we think are creatively beneficial, compelling to kids, and facilitate self-expression. What started as day camps during school vacations quickly progressed into recurring monthly youth classes as well as adult workshops and private lessons. During our first costume class, Zeke (5 yrs) asked us, “but why can’t we come to your house during the week too for class?” This idea had been echoed by other kids and parents. With growing community support and interest, we have had the ability to expand into MessArts. We now have a designated teaching studio as well as year-round class offerings and events for all ages! Join us at our studio and contribute to the MESS! https://messarts.org

05/22/2026

We had such a great spring of open studios! Per usual, we will be taking our open summer break and return in the fall with new dates and youth leadership program opportunities! See y’all soon💖

05/13/2026

Thank you so much to everyone who came out, celebrated, and participated in this intergenerational exhibit- The Art Fam showing .works till June!

04/27/2026

Our show with .works is soon approaching- and we are sooo excited!!!! see yall May 9th to see the work all the artists have been working towards!

04/26/2026

Another great open studio! We will have one more in May and then take our usual summer break, see yall next month! Dates will be shared soon-XO Ness💗

04/22/2026

We are so excited to see yall this Sunday for our next open studio April 26th 11-1pm!

Thank you so much for for hosting us for this free youth offering the last Sunday of each month 11-1pm! Open studio is a self led environment for youth and a space for open collaboration and individualized projects.

This is a free/ doantions based drop in offering + RSVP on our webstie is appreciated for our preparation. As we pivot towards a community centered mutual aid model, we will be providing take home snacks and items for families in need. If you'd like to contribute to our Costco run please Venmo Mess-arts. All contributions are appreciated!

04/13/2026

✨Save the date!✨

Our upcoming collaborative show between adults from .works and youth from is May 9th 6-10pm at Antenna 3718 st Claude💗

04/11/2026

We have been out here on Saturdays with .works working hard with our collaborative groups in prep for our upcoming show- Art Fam! May 9th at Antenna Gallery on St Claude

03/29/2026

Another great open studio! Thanks yall💗 see ya next month!

03/26/2026

We are thrilled with our ongoing partnership with and wanted to share their upcoming Friday Spring Break Clay Camp for youth April 3rd 9:00-2:30!

Mess Arts families get a 10% off with the code below with sign up through website!

Use code MAKE-A-MESS for 10% off:)

03/25/2026

We are so excited to see yall this Sunday for our next open studio March 29th 11-1pm!

Thank you so much for for hosting us for this free youth offering the last Sunday of each month 11-1pm! Open studio is a self led environment for youth and a space for open collaboration and individualized projects.

This is a free/ doantions based drop in offering + RSVP on our webstie is appreciated for our preparation. As we pivot towards a community centered mutual aid model, we will be providing take home snacks and items for families in need. If you'd like to contribute to our Costco run please Venmo Mess-arts. All contributions are appreciated!

Address

2539 Columbus Street
New Orleans, LA
70117

Telephone

+15043588036

Website

https://messarts.org/pages/mission

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