Saturday Kids' Classes
Each year the Adrian College Department of Art and Design/ YMCA of Lenawee County offer community art classes aimed at giving young students an opportunity to participate in art activities outside their traditional class room.
The program consists of six, weekly classes each semester meeting on Saturday morning from 9:30 to 12 noon. We have two summer art camps, one held on campus which completed its twelfth year last summer and meets for a half day for a week while our Art Camp for Migrant Children is held for a week off campus and will launch it’s third season this coming July. Each session is limited to 36 students and is grouped according to age. Groups have traditionally been K-fourth and fifth-eighth.
In all sessions emphasis is placed on basic developmental skills and connecting diverse subjects with creative awareness. Previous activities have used a wide selection of media such as clay, collage, drawing, stone sculpture, painting, soft sculpture, weaving, papermaking, feltmaking, basketmaking, and printmaking. Classes have use an art educational theory called Discilpline Based Art Education (DBAE) which encourages the study of not just art but coupling it with the study of other subject areas. The Youth Art Program has explored travel by “visiting” Japan (complete with an exchange art show between Adrian and it’s sister city), Africa, Mexico (and companion murals by each summer art camp to be placed in downtown Adrian), about pets, art movements, the principals of design, nature, writing (even publishing an illustrated book), and gardening.
Students who are enrolled in the teacher education program at Adrian College will present projects to the children and assist in the classes. They will be closely supervised by the director of the program who is a certified and experienced art teacher. Each child will be given individual attention.
We target two groups of students. First, those who are gifted in visual art. It has always been the goal of the program to give students who need and deserve extra time and guidance to develop their abilities to the fullest. We feel we can offer gifted students the chance to really excel and the recognition they deserve. We also focus on at-risk students who show an interest and ability in art . These are students whose continuance in school may be threatened and who may not graduate from high school. Studies have proven that success in any aspect of their lives can give them the confidence and self esteem to tackle previously unsuccessful course work. Art can also offer a positive outlet for the frustration and stress these students experience. Through our experiences as artists and art educators we believe that art can make a difference for many of these students who have never received positive recognition for any endeavor; academic or otherwise. Because of our small class sizes and our support staff, we believe we can give them the extra attention they need to help put them on the road toward academic success.
March 1, 2007
PRESS RELEASE
Adrian College/YMCA/LCVA Summer Youth Art Camp: Walk Like An Egyptian
The Youth Art Program will study the art and culture of the land of the ancient pharaohs using clay, paper mache, drawing, painting, carving and jewelry. Grades 1-4 will meet 9am-noon and grades 5-8 from 1-4pm. Classes will be held on the Adrian College campus in the Art Department located in Mahan Hall. The program will be taught by certified art teachers, Annie Morton and Jackie Whiteley. The cost is $65.00 and includes all supplies. Scholarships are available for students who qualify for the free lunch program due to the generosity of Wacker Chemical Corporation. Registration is through the YMCA of Lenawee County in person or by mail. For additional information call Jean Lash, Art Education Coordinator, Adrian College at (517)-270-2745.