Wide range of programs for children and teens
As school starts up, so do the art programs at The Arts Council of Princeton, with a diversity of classes for children and teens of all ages and interests.
Adventurous students can choose from an imaginative array of ceramics, drawing, painting, mixed media, photography, creative writing and drama classes, taught by experienced and responsive instructors in small-sized classes. Registrations are being accepted now.
The Arts Council offers ceramics classes for ages 5 to 7, 8 to 12, and 13 and up. Each age group will focus on the sculptural aspects of clay through hand building, and the latter two age groups will also experiment with throwing on the potter’s wheel. Small class sizes are designed to ensure individual attention.
For novice photographers, The Arts Council has beginner and intermediate black and white photography for ages 10 to 15. The classes will give students a better understanding of film speed, light meters and developing techniques. Course fees include use of the darkroom and darkroom chemistry.
For those interested in mixed media and a fresh cultural perspective, a new class called Art Around the World is available for ages 9 to 12. This 10-week study of art from other cultures will include painting, drawing, sculpture, printing and papermaking.
"Big Deal," another new mixed media class, shifts toward large-scale sculptures and paintings for ages 8 to 11. Students will look at past artists, get tips on making big public sculptures and work on their own pieces at their own pace.
For ages 6 to 8, The Arts Council offers a new drawing class, Perceptual Skills for Drawing Realistically, with exercises derived from "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain" by Dr. Betty Edwards. Other new and old favorites include, Brush Up, an introductory painting class for ages 9 to 13; Drawing from Imagination and Reality, for teens aged 13 to 18; and Introductory Drawing, also for teens.
The popular Communiverses for middle schoolers is back, with Princeton University students on hand to guide students in developing writing skills. New this fall is Writing Workshop for Teens. Aimed at students in grades 9 to 12, this class will concentrate on prose skills, critique and techniques for honing one’s work.
The Arts Council will once again sponsor a parent and child class. This one-day workshop, for ages 3 to 5 and taught by artist and children’s book author and illustrator Dar Hosta, is called Animals, Animals! and uses painting and collage to enable each child to create his or her favorite animal.
The Arts Council’s favorite dramatist-in-residence, Pam Hoffman, is offering drama classes: Creating Stories: Discovery, with one class for age 4 and one for grades K through 1, and Creating Theatre: Ideas, for grades 2 through 4. Both approach stories and drama through acting, movement, music, visual arts and, most important, imagination.
For those who want to kick up their heels a bit, Flamenco, Folk and Classical Spanish Dance is at both the beginner and intermediate levels for ages 6 to 12.
Prompt registration is recommended because classes fill up quickly. It is now possible to access a full listing of children’s and adult fall classes and register on the Web site at www.artscouncilofprinceton.org or call (609) 924-8777.
The Arts Council of Princeton is located in the Paul Robeson Building on the corner of Witherspoon Street and Paul Robeson Place in downtown Princeton. Participants are urged to be courteous to The Arts Council’s neighbors and take advantage of discounted parking, as well as free drop-off and pick-up at the Chambers Street and Hulfish Street garages.