Studio 345 Celebrates Success and Eyes Growth

Studio 345 is a free program, funded by Mecklenburg County, for students from grades 8-12 that provides afterschool workshops and summer camps in digital media, music production, and visual art. Directed by Angela Grauel, students explore photography, film, and visual art. They learn about art programs including Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, filming techniques, and a variety of visual art mediums.

During the school year, Studio 345 runs three trimesters taught by local professionals. Since moving to Ascend in 2022, Studio saw an increase from 194 to 247 students. Students enjoyed classes in music production, screen printing, and more, but the most popular offering was 3D Modeling and Printing. Throughout the year, students have the opportunity to sell the work they produce in the program. In this year's dedicated Studio 345 market, students sold more than $1,000 worth of artwork, with 100% of the proceeds going directly to the students.

This year, 61 seniors graduated from the program, preparing them for careers in the arts. One student who attended for three years is majoring in Music Production, and another is pursuing a career in Animation.

Studio 345 also offers a summer program, allowing students to study photo, film, and visual art in three two-week sessions. This summer at Studio 345 is record-breaking. The first session was overcapacity, with 44 students, 38 of which had never taken a Studio 345 class before.

The 2026-2027 school year will be open for registration soon and includes a new class called Print to Product, focusing on turning art into entrepreneurship. Students will create their own designs and print them onto t-shirts, tote bags, prints, and more. They will then sell their work at Studio 345 markets.

Additionally, for film and photography students, new state-of-the-art cameras will be available that offer superior tracking speed and subject recognition. Photographs will also be available for purchase at the markets.

Following the renovation of the Arts+ Community Campus, Studio 345 will relocate to Plaza Midwood. It will have dedicated studios, including the return of its music production recording studio. There will also be a makers-space with laser cutters and 3D printers. Plus, Studio 345 students will have access to a gallery space and performance venue, which gives music production and singer/songwriter students an opportunity to perform on stage. Film students will also be able to showcase their work on our many screens throughout the campus.

Studio 345 is excited to continue bringing digital media, music production, and visual art to Charlotte's high schoolers.