September 08, 2004

Young Artists Workshops begin Sept. 11

by Paula M. Davenport

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Moms and dads: If you'd like to kindle creativity in your kids, sign them up for Saturday Young Artists Workshops beginning Sept. 11 at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Classes are available for children ages 5-18. All sessions meet in Allyn Hall, directly north of the Student Center's parking deck, where parents may park for free.

Taught by University upperclassmen preparing to become art teachers, the workshops encourage kids to experience all sorts of media, such as pastels, paints, clay, beads, stained glass and more.

There will be eight Saturday sessions. Young artists work in age-related groups. Older students attend all morning while younger pupils meet for an hour and fifteen minutes.

Tuition is $40 for those 5-12 and $60 for teens. Discounts may be available for families who enroll more than one youngster. And some students may qualify for free, need-based scholarships. Families may enroll students at 9 a.m. in the Allyn Building the first day of classes.

Here's the schedule:

  • 9 - 10:15 a.m.: Class for 5-9 years old.
  • 10:45 a.m. - noon: Students ages 10-12.
  • 9 a.m. - noon: Teen-agers 13-18.

The series culminates with a free on-campus exhibition of works by the young artists on Saturday, Oct. 23.

"The workshops are more like camps. They allow kids to explore their creativity, interact with others their age and learn art techniques," says Christopher N. "Chris" Short, director of the program, a joint venture between the School of Art & Design and the College of Education and Human Services.

For more information, call Short at 618/453-7765.

Serving others is among the goals of Southern @ 150: Building Excellence through Commitment, the blueprint guiding the University as it approaches its 150th birthday in 2019.