Acorn art school to celebrate 30 years with generations of students, families 

In a 900-square-foot studio at the corner of State and Front streets, the Acorn Gallery School of Art is an enchanted place, says co-founder Debra Freeman-Highberger. The school is celebrating its 30th anniversary this month.

“It’s a magic corner,” said Freeman-Highberger on a recent afternoon, while a dozen 5- and 6-year-olds worked at easels around the room. “There’s something about children’s energy that is just magical.”

But there’s more to it than that.

Freeman-Highberger remembers when Acorn first opened, and she told her husband, Jack Highberger, that they needed four more easels to accommodate their growing classes. Unfortunately, they didn’t have the money to buy them.

“The very next day, I came into work, and there were four more easels on the stoop,” Freeman-Highberger said. “To this day, I don’t know where they came from.”

She mentioned that all they needed now was four stools.

“A week later, four new stools showed up. It was like an old German fairy tale,” she laughed.

Celebrating 30 years

Acorn students, parents and supporters are planning a celebration and fundraiser for Deb and Jack on June 2. 

“All the proceeds will go to the Acorn to help support their efforts to continue for years to come,” said Norm Brzycki, whose daughter, Sharna, spent years at Acorn and now works in costume design in New York City. 

“We expect attendees will be local artists, parents, their children and their children’s children,” Brzycki added. The event will feature live music, a silent auction, raffles and more.

How it all started

Before Acorn, Debra worked as an early childhood teacher while Jack was a painter. The couple settled in Marblehead, and Debra started teaching art to kids in their garage. 

“Some of our first students were 12-year-old twins who had dyslexia. For them, art became a language,” Debra said.

She added, “We became known for not just teaching art but helping children develop in whatever ways they needed to. Teachers would send us kids who needed fine motor skills. We had several psychologists in town who would send kids to us who needed social skills.”

In 1995, the couple opened Acorn at its current location. Today, the 900-square-foot space is 

packed with easels and palettes crusted with layers of color paint. Art covers the walls. There are cozy couches and art books. 

Debra and Jack are proud of their generations of students, whom they say have earned more than $10 million in scholarships. Many have gone on to become professional fine artists, graphic artists, commercial artists, designers, grant writers, gallery owners and more.

But the most important thing they’ve learned is the importance of community,” Debra emphasized. “I’ve been saying this since day one: We’ve been building a community.”

On a bright April afternoon, 6-year-old William Freyer was perched on a stool in front of his easel, painting a seascape and then a Roman ruin.

“I like painting,” he said. “My favorite colors are pink and purple… and the rainbow,” he said.

As Freyer’s class finished up, older students strolled in and started chatting and painting.

Seventh grader Wendell Baker has been coming to Acorn for three years. This afternoon, he was working on a painting of a red sports car.

“I like the vibes here; everybody is so cheerful,” Baker said. “I’ve learned a lot, mostly how to paint still-lifes.”

Eighth grader Ainsley Miller, who spends about three hours a week at Acorn, added, “I love painting here. It’s really fun, and I’ve made good friends. I’ve learned color theory and how to portray emotion and values.”

Abigail Orne, a seventh grader, started at Acorn just a few months ago but already feels at home.

“I like the atmosphere,” she said. “It’s really comfortable and welcoming. I’m developing my own art style.”

What the future holds

Deb and Jack have no plans to retire soon.

“We hope to be carried out of here feet first,” Jack said with a smile.

But they have made plans to give the school to one of their former students, Megan Reiley. Reiley, 31, took lessons at Acorn all through school and recently moved back home during COVID. She teaches at Acorn now.

“This place is so special to me,” Reiley said.

She told Deb and Jack, “You two are like an extension of my family.”

The celebration for Jack and Debra is Sunday, June 2, 5-8 p.m. at the Gerry 5 on Beacon Street. Tickets are $20. For more information, visit https://loom.ly/laQXvv0.