“...rejoice that Susan Striker, art educator and author of the acclaimed [Anti-Coloring] books, has founded Young at Art” THE WESTSIDER “It is real learning” DA I LY NEWS “Innovative art school . . .” CHANNEL 5 MIDDAY “Birthday memories begin with a little imagination and a lot of organization. The result - a perfect party.” CHILD MAGAZINE “Here’s a different kind of party” NEW YORK MAGAZINE “Awesome birthdays” WESTPORT MAGAZINE

At Young at Art we believe that children’s art is not a frill, not merely charming, but the very foundation upon which later reading, writing and drawing are built. The early experiences children have while they are creating art have a profound impact on their approach to learning later on. Creative activity keeps the spark of curiosity alive! From age appropriate art, children can learn how to think critically, solve problems and express themselves.

Our techniques are the subject of the best-selling book Young at Art, Teaching Toddlers Self Expression, Problem Solving Skills , and an Appreciation for Art, by Susan Striker (Henry Holt). We begin with a snack which gives us a hint about what color, shape or idea our class will be about. We listen to a story, play games, dance dances and sing songs based on the theme. Then we do a painting in our special color, shape, or art concept.

As Albert Einstein said:
Imagination is more important than knowledge

Awards:

• Young at Art's curriculum for teaching color concepts was awarded Connecticut's CELEBRATION OF EXCELLENCE FOR CREATIVTY IN THE CLASSROOM.
• Susan Striker was named DISTINGUISHED TEACHER by the Greenwich Public Schools
• Susan Striker won the George M. Estabrook Award in recognition of the many contributions she made during her career in education and publishing.

CLASSES

Color Magic®, Color Magic®, and Ship Shapes® are combined to provide a rich and rewarding introduction to art expression and art materials......

Recommended for preschool through Kindergarten, adaptable through grade three.

In Color Magic®, we focus on one color concept and explore it in several different ways in order to address children’s vastly different styles of learning and multiple intelligences. All classes are literature-based and begin with a story. On blue day, for example, after reading New Blue Shoes, we draw with blue crayons, use blue papers in a collage, paint only with blue paint and then experiment with a blue medium. An age-appropriate song, especially written for this curriculum is sung. We then proceed sequentially to explore color combinations and multi colors. Every class gives a child a chance to explore various media, learn an art concept, get in touch with his or her own feelings, and explore his or her unique talents and abilities.

Color Wizardry® is offered to children who have completed Color Magic. These color “experts” are offered activities that build upon early learning in new ways through advanced methods and materials.

Ship Shapes® brings a sense of wonder to how lines transform themselves into shapes through kinesthetic activity, songs, games, literature and multimedia art experiences.

Mind-Bogglers this course introduces new mind-boggling themes and concepts! Transparency, reflections and neon are just some the exciting vehicles we use to integrate the creative multimedia art form of expression into all aspects of a child’s life.

Pre-School to Kindergarten
This class teaches students about light, shadows, size relationship and many other art concepts that contribute to our early aesthetic education in our unique literature-based, multi-media format.

Ceramics
A world-class potter gives students a chance to explore age-old techniques in a sequential, literature-based curriculum. Kiln fired clay and glazing techinques explored and newer materials introduced.

Master Artists
Like da Vinci, Pollack and Van Gogh, you are a great artist!

We get to know the world’s great artists through reading stories about them and looking at prints. Our projects involve incorporating something the artist did in a completely original work that remains uniquely our own. A museum visit is an ideal way to enrich this experience. Art from your local museum collections is woven into the existing curriculum for maximum impact.

Find out more, contact Sue

Passport to the World of Art
Vacation and After School Program

Fasten your seat belt, every art project begins with a journey! (Some projects even include time travel!) We travel to ancient Egypt, China, Japan, Italy, Mexico, Australia and China.

!Viva Mexico!
Oaxacan wood carvings, colorful Ojos de Dios, skeletons celebrating the Day of the Dead observance and pottery are just some of the Mexican inspired projects coordinated with story and song from south of the border.

Native American Inspired Art
From Alaska to Florida, Native Americans inspire art in all media. As always we read stories to motivate our art activities. The stories that coordinate with this unit also helps children get to know about the rich and varied culture of the native American people. Drawing, painting, weaving and pottery reflect our understanding of Native Americans while still giving us a chance to express something of ourselves.

SHERMAN SCHOOL students get to sample Passport to Art Summer Camp in a six-week long Native American class in their after school program, taught by a Young at Art teacher.

African Safari
Fasten your seat belts we are off to Africa, where we will create art inspired by our trip, including masks, paintings and statues. Stories we read will include several beautifully illustrated African legends that will inspire us to create a multitude of art projects in varied media.

Egypt
You will have to believe in time travel for this unit, as we go back to ancient Egypt and unravel the mysteries of hieroglyphics and mummies and create Egyptian inspired art.

Fashionista!
Vacation workshops designed for the future fashion designers of the world

Opportunities to create wearable art will provide an understanding of the world of fashion design. We create and/or decorate everything from t-shirts to tennis shoes to neck ties.

Find out more, contact Sue

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