About us
​ALL kids are creative and have an inborn NEED to create!
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And you need a place, space and support for your child to do that...
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And THAT'S why we created Yellow Bird Studio!
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As passionate educators, our biggest goal is to teach children how to think, and art is one of the best, hands-on ways to teach that important skill.
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Art develops thinking skills by engaging children in observation, critical thinking and problem solving skills, the ability to hypothesize, test, and refine ideas, and regulate their emotions by dealing with frustration and improve perseverance and focus.
Unfortunately, art classes are one of the first to be cut from education programs, so we seek to fill that void in our community.​
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Yellow Bird Studio is a makers space where kids find shelves filled with colorful art supplies, ample room to spread out to paint, build, sew and craft, and warm and supportive instructors that encourage them to learn and have fun making meaningful things that bring them joy.
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If you are curious about what your child can learn with us, we encourage you to try a free trial class at any of our three locations.
There is something for everyone at Yellow Bird Studio!
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The Story
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Florie had the idea for a children's art studio while on vacation in 2016 in the mountains of North Carolina. Wanting to make a change in her career and saddened by all the cutting of art programs in the public schools, she wanted to stay in her field and be able to bring more joy to children through art in the Tampa Bay community, and so Yellow Bird Studio was born!
Her friend since 1997, Pamela didn't hesitate when Florie came to her with the idea, and said yes. They opened the Westshore Boulevard studio just in time for Summer Camps in June 2017, opened the Gunn Highway studio in November 2022, and The Heights studio in May 2026.
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Their dream is to open more Yellow Bird Studios in our area and beyond, so their vision of Art+Friends=Joy can reach more children!
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​The Instructors
Florie Reber has over 30 years of experience designing and leading programs for children and adults in a variety of settings. She has a Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Florida, with a focus on arts and sciences. Florie is a creative visionary who understands the power of art and community to inspire us and bring us together for a common good. She enjoys making beautiful art, reading, gardening and exploring the great outdoors with her husband, son and three crazy dogs. She teaches classes at the Gunn Highway location.
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Pamela Navarro has been teaching children for over 30 years and has been a program coordinator, assistant director and parenting consultant along the way. She holds a Child Development Associate credential and is a VPK certified teacher. Pamela's warm and helpful nature makes her a favorite with everyone! She is the proud mom to an adult daughter and in her spare time she enjoys dancing, music, days at the beach, and cuddling and adventuring with her fur baby, Charlie, who often comes the Heights studio.
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