November 21, 2008

history

Founded in August 2005 by a team of seven dedicated area professionals, StudioSTL has grown under the direction of Elizabeth Ketcher, an attorney who left the practice of law in 2004 to spearhead the development of a community writing center. The organization's Board of Directors has developed strategic alliances with community leaders and organizations, including major media outlets, universities, and a host of celebrated writers and artists. StudioSTL has established a solid volunteer base and collaborative partnerships that have permitted the organization to access and serve youth, while marketing its acclaimed publications to local retailers, including Borders and Barnes & Noble.

Based on successful models operating in other major U.S. cities, StudioSTL is poised for the next chapter in its success story: development of a St. Louis literary arts center to serve youth and community. As a central resource and literary attraction, the StudioSTL center will gather the area's finest writing and artistic talent to partner with youth on a feast of writing projects. StudioSTL young authors will publish their written works in high-quality publications as part of StudioSTL's established publishing enterprise, generating an earned revenue stream to fund additional youth writing services. In two years, StudioSTL has helped 200 youth find their individual voice in books, magazines, and newspapers, and has built a solid reputation - locally and nationally - as a leader in young writers' programs.