Charter Oak's Youth Arts Institute

Yoga!

2011-11-08T14:56:00.000-08:00

Here are a few recent images from our yoga class (Kindergarten and 1st grade). These talented students are learning new poses every week, including airplane, tree, turtle, shark and even dead bug! More photos to come soon!

YAI: Sign Language and Art

2011-10-18T10:00:00.000-07:00

Our Youth Arts Institute classes for the fall semester have begun and our young artists are making music, creating masterpieces and more! Our American Sign Language and Art class (grades K-1) recently read the book My Shirt is White by Dick Bruna and learned how to sign all the colors of the rainbow! Some of their fabulous work is shown below.

Visits to the Lutz Children's Museum

2011-08-23T06:34:00.000-07:00

What a great opportunity to visit such an amazing place filled to the brim with educational and fun things to do! On a recent trip to the Lutz Children's Museum, we explored a room filled with many different animals, reptiles and amphibians. Our students learned about Da Vinci's and the drawings he made of horses as well as other artists who are famous for creating paintings using animals as their main subjects. Then, our students had the unique opportunity to create observational drawings of the different animals at the museum! Finally, they had a fantastic time in the "Main Street" (an exhibit of a main street set in 1943) and "Farm" (and exhibit based on a Connecticut farm in the 1800s) interactive rooms! Here are some photos of this amazing trip. Click on any photo to make it larger.

On another day, we enjoyed visiting the Lutz Children's Museum's Oak Grove Nature Center, where we explore a beautiful trail that took us around a pond. While we were there, we saw ducks, salamanders, birds and learned how to be a detective in nature! Some of the most amazing things we saw were the many trees that beavers had "sawed" with their teeth! We even got to meet two turtles! Thank you, Lutz Children's Museum! Click on any photo to make it larger.

Putting Down Roots at Burr School!

2011-08-09T12:42:00.000-07:00

Our Putting Down Roots in Hartford summer program branched out to include Alfred E. Burr School (through working with the Village for Families and Children) as one of our off-site locations last year and was a huge success! This year, the program continues to flourish, along with the wonderful veggies and herbs that are growing in our garden at Burr!

Here are some photos of our Putting Down Roots, Burr School! Click on any photo to make it larger.

Week Two: Putting Down Roots

2011-07-20T06:47:00.000-07:00

Each day at Putting Down Roots exciting discoveries are being made! During our week two, we have begun planting seedlings from our greenhouse on our ledge named "Bibo's Ledge" by our students, in honor of Max Bibo's Cafe (located next door). Our students have worked hard to prepare (till) the soil, measure the correct distance for planting the seedlings and caring for them once they were planted. Students have also planted new seedlings in the spot where they had harvested the lettuce used in our lettuce wraps!

In addition, our PDR students have tried their hands at "up-close" representational drawings inspired by Georgia O'Keeffe, have discovered how oil pastels and watercolor work "against" each other yet at the same time, when used together, create an amazing artistic effect on paper.

Another fun way our students have been learning about science through the lens of the garden is by conducting many experiments.

Here are some photos from our second week. Enjoy! Click on any photo to make it larger.

Planting new seedlings

Cucumber seedlings from our greenhouse!

Cucumber seedlings being planted

Artwork inspired by Georgia O'Keeffe

This was experiment that showed how plants absorb nutrients -
we put food coloring in water and watched to see if the celery
would absorb the water - and it did!

Digging for worms!

Putting Down Roots 2011 has begun!

2011-07-19T12:55:00.000-07:00

Our 2011 Putting Down Roots in Hartford organic gardening program is in full bloom! Our students, who range in age from 7 to 14, are getting their hands dirty (literally) while learning all about organic gardening. They have planted seeds, maintained the garden, created sun charts, harvested vegetables, started a compost bin and a worm farm - and it's only the first week!

In addition, students have explored radial symmetry through creating beautiful mandalas inspired by the work of Paul Heussenstamm and have drawn their own garden maps through the eyes of a bird (or an aerial view) - which will soon be transformed into sun charts as well.

Finally, students have tapped into their math and language skills to chart their garden observations, have started their journals which include daily reflections and weather charting, and have been learning team-building skills. They have also been enjoying listening to - and reading aloud - the book Seedfolks, by Paul Fleishman (in addition to other books!)

Here is a peek into our garden...more updates and photos to come! Click on any photo to make it larger.

Daily reading in the garden!

Drawing visual maps of our gardens at Charter Oak

First week...I wonder how long the tomatoes will stay green?

Preparing the ledge garden for more seedlings that are ready to go!

Learning about sun charts and in importance of planning out a garden

A beautiful mandala in the making

Our greenhouse!

One of our ledge gardens

Thank you to Joy Monroe for photographing Putting Down Roots!

Harvesting Lettuce = Lettuce Wraps!

2011-07-18T12:56:00.000-07:00

Our Putting Down Roots in Hartford students recently enjoyed creating lettuce wraps, made with organic ingredients grown in our garden! Click on any photo to make it larger.

Our harvest is ready!

Students learn how to harvest (pick) the lettuce leaves...

...and basil!

Our fresh, organic ingredients for our wraps!

Washing and spinning the greens from our garden

Time to make the wraps!

The finished product!

Taking home the extra greens!

After our students enjoyed their YUMMY lettuce wraps, they were able to take some of the extra fresh ingredients home. When asked if they ate the lettuce they harvested at Charter Oak at home, here is what they said:

Juan: "I ate the lettuce in sandwiches, with cucumbers."

Becca: "I had the lettuce in a salad with Italian dressing and carrots."

Egyptia: "I ate the lettuce like a wrap like we made in Putting Down Roots, with carrots, bell peppers, chicken breast and bacon ranch dressing."

Shahairy: "I ate it in a salad with onions, peppers and with the chives from our garden, too."

Kayla and Nashaly: "We ate the lettuce in a salad with our family. We also used the basil and chives from our garden in the salad. We added tomatoes and Italian dressing."

2011 Art & Performance Showcase!

2011-06-10T14:29:00.000-07:00

This year's Second Annual Youth Arts Showcase was a HUGE success! We filled the house, with an estimated 200+ guests in attendance, as some were standing since all seats were taken. We had 5 dance performances, a theatre skit, many music performances (included originally written lyrics, beats and recordings), poetry recitals, a yoga demonstration and more! In addition, our three galleries are currently displaying over 150 pieces of artwork from our YAI young artists. Here are just a few photos from our event! More photos to come...

Youth Arts Lyrics & Beats Class!

2011-06-08T18:25:00.000-07:00

Check it out!!

You're Invited! Charter Oak's HUGE Youth Arts Gallery Opening & Performance Showcase!!

2011-05-26T14:27:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again! We are gearing up for our * FREE * HUGE Youth Arts Gallery Opening and Performance Showcase:

THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2011

at 5:30PM

Charter Oak Cultural Center

21 Charter Oak Avenue, Hartford, CT 06106

Our amazing Youth Arts students are going to rock the house!!

The event will include...

A gallery opening (THREE galleries!!) featuring hundreds of pieces of original artwork from our visual arts classes, including: American Sign Language & Art, Meet the Artist, Wadsworth Workshops, Native American Art, The Science of Art, Story Stretchers, Mask Making, Art That Heals, Drawing & Illustration and MUCH more...

An original theatre skit....

A fashion show of student-designed clothing...

Street Dance and Ballroom Dance performances...

A Stretching For Life dance performance...

A showcase of music including original lyrics, rap and beats....

....ALL created, written and performed by our talented Youth Arts Institute students, ages 4-17!

Snacks and refreshments will be served. FREE!!

Sowing Seeds for Summer!

2011-04-24T06:24:00.000-07:00

We have officially kicked off our Putting Down Roots garden at Charter Oak, by planting seeds that will be used during the summer! Youth Arts children planted many types of seeds, including cucumber, peppers, pumpkins and herbs in small pods that will be placed in our greenhouse. We are looking forward to seeing which seeds bloom within the next few months!

Our Youth Arts Lyrics & Beats Class Shines!

2011-04-10T14:22:00.000-07:00

Our Lyrics and Beats class has been working hard writing, editing and recording their own original, positive rap! Please take a minute to view the video and see why we are so proud of our youth!

Youth Arts on the Front Page of the Hartford Courant!

2011-03-14T13:05:00.000-07:00

Click this link to see the online article AND video!

Aetna Funds Dance Programs To Fight Obesity

Foundation Giving $63,000 To Programs For Minority Children And Families In Low-Income Parts Of Hartford, Harlem, Chicago And San Francisco.

By MATTHEW STURDEVANT, msturdevant@courant.com
The Hartford Courant
9:25 PM EDT, March 13, 2011

Olivia Ilano-Davis threw up her arms up like a vaudeville actor playing the victim of a stickup as she faced her dance class of young children.

"Arms up!" she said to about 20 pre-kindergarten to third-grade students.

Some jumped into the pose and others mimicked the boys and girls to their left or right. Then they followed a handful of teachers in skipping, gliding, stretching and bounding across a padded dance floor on a recent afternoon at the Charter Oak Cultural Center in Hartford.

For nearly two hours, the children danced and played under the instruction of Ilano-Davis and her resident dance company, Spectrum In Motion. The children were active after school. They weren't home on the couch, playing video games.

And that's exactly why Hartford-based health insurer Aetna donated $15,000 to this dance program that serves more than 400 children ages 4 to 18 on weekdays and Saturdays.

You've heard of dancing the night away. Aetna wants people to dance the fat away.

The Aetna Foundation announced this month it is giving $63,000 to four dance programs to reduce obesity among minority children and families in low-income parts of Hartford, Harlem, Chicago and San Francisco.

Obesity is the single biggest factor negatively affecting the nation's health; it drives up costs for treatment of diabetes, hypertension and even cancer. Aetna and other health insurers are giving an increasing amount of money to obesity research and efforts to improve diet and exercise.

Last year, the Aetna Foundation gave more than $2.3 million in support of obesity research and programs to cut back on the nation's waistline. Dance is emerging as a universal and accessible way for people to trim down or stay fit.

"We're also particularly interested in reaching out to low-income and minority communities, and, so, it just happens that dance is actually a pretty low-entry kind of sport; it's not like skiing where you have to buy a lot of equipment," said Dr. Anne Beal, a pediatrician and head of the Aetna Foundation.

"There's something in dance that really resonates with anyone and everyone," Beal said. "We were able to have a real wide range of programs, but they all really targeted this issue of obesity, and they were able to be meaningful in an African American community, a Latino community, in many different communities where we're trying to work."

Medical research hasn't tested dance, per se, but researchers have concluded that 30 minutes of "moderate activity" a day helps reduce obesity, Beal said.

Aetna says obesity is 51 percent more prevalent among African Americans and 21 percent more prevalent among Latinos than among white people across the nation. In Hartford, more than half of parents are obese and one in three children are obese, according to a 2007 study by the University of Connecticut Center for Public Health and Health Policy.

The children at the Hartford dance program Stretching For Life, however, look fit. Their teachers are the portrait of athleticism, muscled bodies moved gracefully to the Earth, Wind & Fire song "Sun Goddess."

"I think it's important to start early because it's an organic connection to how your body moves," said Rebecca Sullivan, 26, who started danced in an after-school program 10 years ago led by Ilano-Davis at Hartford Public High School. Sullivan is now part of the dance company. She agrees with the benefits of exercise, but points out that dance is beneficial in other ways.

"The ramifications are huge: Kids do better in school, they feel more confident, they think better, it helps with problem-solving. … It helps kids get in touch with their emotions and work them through productively," said Rabbi Donna Berman, executive director of the Charter Oak Cultural Center. "It's got a lot of benefits to it, not to mention obesity — kids have been getting exercise in a really fun way."

The center has offered its after-school dance program since February 2002, when, Berman said, children were asking to learn dance.

"What they said was they wanted to learn to dance like Jennifer Lopez," Berman said.

So, Berman sought out Ilano-Davis to start an after-school program. Donations and grants have kept it going ever since.

Ilano-Davis calls her youngest dance class her "busy bodies."

"They love to move," she said.

One of the dancers, 7-year-old Dominic Hernandez, said, "I like that we get to dance, and jump and run."

The second-floor dance room at the cultural center was a sanctuary and is lit by stained-glass windows in a building that was a synagogue in the 19^t^h century and early 20^t^h^-century. Seated in one of the cushioned pews during dance class, Blanca Burns, a West Hartford mother who grew up in El Salvador, said she enrolled her daughter, Kaylee, 6, to help her be more confident and outgoing. She'd like her son Conner, 8, to dance, too. He spends a little too much time playing video games in the afternoons, she said.

"For him, I wanted him to do the exercise," Burns said.

Middle Eastern Zillij Project

2011-03-14T12:47:00.000-07:00

Young artists in our Art Around the World class, in grades Pre-K through 2, recently created patterned projects inspired by Middle Eastern Zillij mosaics! Below are some photos of their creations!

Diana, grade 2, displays her Zillij design.

A Zillij project created by a Pre-K student.

Dominic, grade 2, displays his Zillij design.

Koru Creations

2011-03-10T13:49:00.000-08:00

Students in our Art Around the Globe classes have been making designs inspired by the New Zealand Koru fern and the native designs that have been drawn, sculpted, and tattooed that are based on the fern's really cool structure. These are all watercolor/crayon resist paintings made by 1st grade students. Enjoy!

A Peek Inside Youth Arts Classrooms...

2011-03-10T12:00:00.000-08:00

Igloo City at Charter Oak!

2011-03-01T13:50:00.000-08:00

Youth Arts Institute students recently joined together with local artists to create igloos right outside of Charter Oak! Students, families, community members and teachers built snow blocks and constructed three fantastic igloos. Who says you can't have fun outside in the cold?!

Our igloos even made the front cover of the Hartford News!

Meet The Artist Class - Peter Max

2010-12-01T11:34:00.000-08:00

YAI students in our "Meet the Artist" class enjoyed exploring the artwork of Peter Max. Seen below are their versions of "The Yellow Submarine." Enjoy!

YAI Students Receive Handmade Hats!

2010-12-01T11:22:00.000-08:00

We are so thankful to Carol Fine for hand-knitting so many beautiful hats for the children of Youth Arts Institute! Carol, as in previous years as well, has kindly knitted one hundred hats that were given to the many children in our Youth Arts program, as well as their family members.

Below are photos of some of our Youth Arts kids smiling big and displaying their special hats!

The Science of Art!

2010-11-10T13:34:00.000-08:00

The Science of Art is an exciting Youth Arts Institute class that merges science with art in unique ways. In many ways, science and art go hand-in-hand, and this class explores this very idea!

Below are photos of the young artists displaying work that they have created in this class, including fall leaf wax collages and shape sculptures!

Pre-K & Kindergarten Art Discovery!

2010-11-10T12:21:00.000-08:00

Each week, children age 4-5 years old enjoy Art Discovery, a class that bridges art, literacy and imaginative play. In recent weeks, the children in this class explored the following books:

Eric Carle's Draw Me a Star, Crockett Johnson's Harold and the Purple Crayon, Dr. Seuss' My Many Colored Days, Eric Carle's The Tiny Seed, and Leo Lionni's A Color of His Own. During each class, students listen to a story, view artwork linked to the book and create artwork themselves.

Recently, the young artists have been exploring primary and secondary colors as well as lines.

Here are photos of our students in action...enjoy!

Yoga!

2010-11-10T12:07:00.000-08:00

Students age 4-8 have been enjoying yoga each week. They have tried a variety of challenging poses, including Mountain pose, Rock pose, Tree pose, Swan pose and more! They have also enjoyed trying different animal poses!

Through the use of these yoga poses plus breathing and cooperative games, children learn skills that help manage anxiety and stress, identify positive coping strategies, and become more aware of their own bodies' reactions to stress and emotion.

Lutz Children's Museum: What Will it Become?

2010-11-01T16:27:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Lutz Children's Museum, our Nature, Art and the Greenhouse class had a blast learning about different seeds, plants, nuts as well as frogs, bugs, butterflies, eggs and other things that "become" something else!

Rachel from Lutz brought many REAL life samples, taught us many fun facts and even brought a rooster for us to see and pet! Thank you to Lutz for such a great experience!!

http://www.lutzmuseum.org

Sept. 22, 5:00pm • Sukkah Decorating Party & Community Dinner • FREE!

2010-09-13T17:38:00.000-07:00

Come, decorate our sukkah, the booth built to celebrate the Jewish fall harvest of Sukkot. Help us create our most beautiful sukkah yet! We will take this opportunity to rejoice in the fruits of our labors, the abundance of the beautiful organic garden we created this summer. Dinner (made with vegetables from our garden), including pizza & salad, will be served. Free.
For more information, please call (860) 249.1207

Sign Up Now for FREE After School Classes!

2010-09-13T17:34:00.001-07:00

Charter Oak’s Youth Arts Institute is an exciting opportunity for students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade to experience the magic of the arts. Classes are free and include Drawing, Painting, Martial Arts, Yoga, Fashion Design, World Art, Lyrics and Beats, Science and Art, Hip Hop and Breakdancing, Literacy and Art, Sign Language, and more! Fall semester classes will begin on Monday, September 20 and will continue until December.

Classes meet Monday-Friday from 3:45-5:00pm at Charter Oak Cultural Center. To receive a registration form or for more information, please contact Sarah Thompson, Youth Arts Institute Coordinator, at 860.249.1207 x111 or sarah.thompson@charteroakcenter.org . Space is limited.

Charter Oak Hip Hop Rocks Whole Foods

2010-08-23T19:46:00.000-07:00

On August 22, Charter Oak Putting Down Roots and Hip Hop students put on an amazing show at Whole Foods Market! The show included a spectacular hip hop dance, graffiti art, spoken word, rap and artwork. It was a wonderful ending to a fantastic summer of fun at Charter Oak!

Organic Cooking Class at Whole Foods!

2010-08-20T14:32:00.000-07:00

Some of students from Putting Down Roots were recently invited to visit Whole Foods Market and get a lesson in cooking with organic vegetables, just like the ones growing in our gardens! Chef Mitchell taught us about good calories, green leafy veggies, easy recipes that are full of goodness and more! A big thank you to Whole Foods in Bishop's Corner!

Putting Down Roots in Hartford: In the Words of our Young Gardeners

2010-08-17T13:53:00.000-07:00

Many students, age 4-15, explored gardening, art, science and math through our Putting Down Roots program this summer, at 3 locations throughout Hartford.

Some of the students were asked to explain the importance that a garden has on it community, what the benefits of a community garden were and why we should continue to create gardens throughout our community. Here are some of their answers.

"It is because we could save the world because people could save more gas and save pollution because people come in trucks far away, so they could waste gallons of gas! And my favorite veggie is zucchini" - Kris, grade 4

"We need to eat healthy things like we wont have to eat alot of junk food. If we eat alot of junk food, we can get fat. If we eat from the garden, then we won't become unhealthy" - Pedro, grade 4

"We need a garden to make the world look better and cleaner. Then the world can be bigger and healthier. If we eat from the garden we will get strong" - Raekwon, grade 4

"The importance in a garden is that it gives more life to the world. It's easier to the people of this world. A garden is special" - Leelliam, grade 4

"I think we should have a big community garden so we don't pollute with gas. It will also help our community and make change" - Zenae, grade 4

"Having a garden is good because you can walk instead of drive and cause pollution. And you don't have to waste money" - Nevaeh, grade 4

"Because we need to make our people eat fruit and vegetables and water to drink because if we don't eat or drink we will starve to death" - Xavier, grade 4

"A garden is important because there are vegetables. They keep you healthy because there are no chemicals. Also when you have a garden you can save money and not always go to the store to get food" - Jada, grade 6

"We should continue the garden so others students can learn what we did and we get to try new things but the best thing is you have a great time" - Whitney, grade 6

"Because vegetables give you energy and we can get veggies to homeless people" - Marissa, grade 5

"Because you can make a garden if you don't have any food and so you can get healthy and strong" - Gabriela, grade 5

"I think it is important to keep having [a community garden] because it teaches you about food, it shows you tasty food, and I enjoy having a garden and food is alot of money so it is much easier to grow a garden" - Zakiyya, grade 5

"It teaches us about the planet and vegetables. We can draw about it. We can eat the vegetables. We can talk about the vegetables" - Maurice, grade 5

"Because we are trying to prove that is you have old grass that you think nothing can grow in it, we can!" - Israel, grade 7

"Because you can sell the vegetables for money, or you can trade them. A flower garden could make the community look better. Since food costs money, you could grow a garden" - Kasandra, grade 5

Organic Gardening, Art, Science, Math & More!

2010-08-02T18:11:00.001-07:00

Putting Down Roots in Hartford is well underway, and students are enjoying educational activities interwoven with visual arts, discovery and team-building. Putting Down Roots has grown to three locations in Hartford, and over fifty children have enjoyed the program at Charter Oak's main location so far this summer!

Young gardeners, age 5 to 14, work hands-on in the garden, tending to the vegetables, flowers, herbs and even fruit. Each day, the observe the changes in the garden and often throughout the week, record thoughts, observations, drawings and measurements in their journals. Students enjoy movement and stretching games, visual arts, creative writing, science experiments, teamwork through older students mentoring the youngest students, working in small groups and also have the option to attend yoga and hip hop workshops weekly!

Here are a few images of the amazing work produced over the last few weeks... more to come!

Sign Up Now for FREE Summer Programs at Charter Oak!

2010-06-23T12:00:00.000-07:00

Putting Down Roots In Hartford
Charter Oak’s commitments to ending hunger in Hartford and to providing a safe and nurturing environment to the children in our neighborhood led to the creation of Putting Down Roots in Hartford, a program that welcomes children, free of charge, to participate in creating, maintaining and harvesting organic vegetables from the gardens in our courtyard.

Mondays-Fridays, 9am-12:30pm
July 6-Aug 20
An exciting, six-week summer youth gardening program for Hartford kids, age 7-13. The program in FREE and kids will learn how to tend to a garden, nurture plants and vegetables, and produce their own food. The food grown by participants will be distributed to their families and neighbors. Children also will create artwork, will experiment with science projects, do creative writing and will create a variety of projects all tied to the garden. Lunch is included each day.

Yoga
Tuesdays, 12:30pm-2pm, July 6-Aug 20
Charter Oak Cultural Center will have yoga for the children for 6 weeks in the summer as an extended day option for kids age 7-13. These classes introduce yoga to the students, incorporating the more traditional components (breathing and postures) with some games and creative movement. The goal is to introduce the kids to ways to quiet their minds and bodies, to stretch and get some physical activity, and to have fun!

Hip Hop Workshop
Wednesdays, 12:30-2pm, July 6-Aug 20
This is a once-a-week extended day option for children ages 7-13. Children will explore spoken word, creative writing, graffiti art and more!

Wadsworth Workshop
Fridays, 12:30-3:00pm, July 9-July 30
This is a once-a-week extended day option for children ages 9-13. Children will take a once-a-week field trip to the Wadsworth Atheneum to explore various artwork and then create a project in response to what they viewed in the museum.

For more information or to register your child for these FREE programs, please email Sarah Thompson at sarah.thompson@charteroakcenter.org or call 860.249.1207 x111

Burr Elementary YAI Lyrics & Beats Class

2010-06-10T14:02:00.000-07:00

Beamer Benz and Bentley Remix- Charter Oak Youth Arts Program- "Cant Get Me"

Youth Arts Institute Showcase and Gallery Exhibit

2010-05-14T08:09:00.000-07:00

*** Thursday, June 3, 2010 *** 6:00pm *** Free

Join us as we celebrate the amazing work of Youth Arts students age 5-17!

Visual arts, dance, choreodrama, music, spoken word, theatre and much more!

Let's pack the house and support the hard work and talents of our amazing young Hartford artists as well as our community partnerships!

Free Parking :)

SEE YOU THERE & PLEASE INVITE YOUR FRIENDS!

www.charteroakcenter.org

Wake Up With YOGA!

2010-01-21T07:13:00.000-08:00

Start your morning off with Yoga!

Mon. & Wed., 7:15AM at Betances School
Tues. & Thurs., 7:45AM at NAYLOR SCHOOL

Through traditional yoga components, such as breathing and postures, and creative movements, children will be introduced to the art (and fun) of yoga. Parents, teachers and other adults are welcome to join!

Call 860.249.1207 x 109 to register. Free.

Spring Classes Begin January 25th!

2010-01-21T06:36:00.000-08:00

Join the fun...
Are you a student who is looking to try different kinds of art in a place filled with encouragement, inspiration and best of all, friendships?

Join us for one day a week, or all five days, as we explore and create in Youth Arts Institute... STARTING JANUARY 5th!

Classes are held from 3:30-5pm at Charter Oak Cultural Center.

Our Spring classes at Charter Oak include:

MONDAYS:
Reading & Tutoring Club:
(Grades K-2)
This is an opportunity for students, grades K-2, to meet in a comfortable setting and to have guided academic help to promote literacy and academic achievement. Students will have tutoring assistance as needed, homework help and guided reading lists. Best of all, the club will be held in an encouraging and supportive environment. Free.

Art Around the Globe
(Grades 1-3)javascript:void(0)
Children will experience and make art from around the world! They will look at art from different cultures and make similar works using paint, collage, drawing, and other media. Come and join the fun! Free.

Choreodrama
(Grades 3+)
Choreodrama is an expressive way of telling a story. Students will create, as a class, a dramatic piece that captures the theme The Heart of Culture. Music will be the VITAL backdrop to our theatrical piece. Without speaking, the students will use their bodies, along with props (posterboard signs and chairs), to tell a story.
A story that can only be told, without words. Free.

TUESDAYS:
Fabric Arts
(Grades K-2)
We will be having a lot of fun with fabric in this class! We will be continuing to work on the Grandmother’s Flower Garden quilt that was begun last session. We will also be learning about, and making rag rugs to take home. The children will be learning the art of fabric stenciling and making a quilt out of their art work. Our last project will be to make a yo-yo wall hanging. The flower garden quilt and stenciled fabric quilt will be donated to a local charity after the art show, as the students have expressed a desire to help their community, while the yo-yo wall hanging will be able to be permanently displayed at Charter Oak. Free.

Reading & Tutoring Club
(Grades 2-3)
This is an opportunity for students, grades 2-3, to meet in a comfortable setting and to have guided academic help to promote literacy. Students will have tutoring assistance as needed, homework help and guided reading lists. Best of all, the club will be held in an encouraging and supportive environment. Free.

Visiting Artist Workshops
(Grades 3+)
Visiting artists will offer workshops and will introduce students to many types of art. These workshops are open to students of all skill levels. Free.

WEDNESDAYS:
Story Stretchers
(Grades K-2)
Students will discover the magic of combining literacy with art by reading a children’s book and then creating artwork related to the story. Free.

Intro to Theater Arts
(Grades 3+)
Everything from improvisation to monologues will be explored. Students will be introduced to different stage and acting techniques and will have the opportunity to hone their skills through practice, collaboration and performance. Free.

Young Leaders Club
(Grades 4+)
Young Leaders is an exciting chance for students to be empowered and to develop into leaders within their peer groups, communities and at school. They will explore many areas of the arts through special workshops, and will discover the power of achieving goals and leadership! Free.

THURSDAYS:
Spoken Word & Rap
(Grades K+)
Students will analyze and explore Hip-Hop and other types of poetic verse. They will also have a chance to write, record and perform their own written masterpieces! This class is open to students of all ages and skill levels. Free.

Wadsworth Workshop
(Grades 1-3)
Students will have the exciting opportunity to visit the Wadsworth Atheneum twice a month, and be introduced to a large variety of art while learning art history in a fun way! On the weeks that students will not visit the museum, they will create art that is related to what they have previously explored during their visit to the museum. Special parental permission may be required. Free.

Intro to Street Dancing
(Grades 2+)
Students will explore all types of street dancing techniques, including Breakdancing, Popping and Locking and Hip Hop. Everyone grades 2 and above, of all skill levels, are invited to join! Students will work toward a final performance. This class is perfect for any student who wants to try street dancing in a non-judgemental, fun environment! Free.

FRIDAYS:
Sign Language & Art
(Grades K-3)
Children grades K – 3 will be exposed to American Sign Language and the wonderful world of De’VIA (Deaf View/Image Art) Artworks. Students will learn about and make art that incorporates ASL (American Sign Language), illustrates certain aspects of Deaf Culture, and mimics the works of famous D/deaf Artists. Free.

Rebel Writers
(Grades 2-3)
This is not your average boring writing lessons. We can make creative writing fun by tapping into the vivid imaginations when its at its peak: childhood. We will share and tell stories, give meaning to emotion, and experience the power of all five senses. Who knows? You might even get your work published! Free.

Reading & Tutoring Club
(Grades 4+)
This is an opportunity for students, grades 4+, to meet in a comfortable setting and to have guided academic help and promote literacy. Students will have tutoring assistance as needed, homework help and guided reading lists. Best of all, the club will be held in an encouraging and supportive environment. Free.

Advanced Street Dancing
(Grades 4+)
This class is designed to help those with some street dancing experience to hone their skills. Advanced techniques of Breakdancing, Popping and Locking and Hip Hop will be explored in the style of groups like SYTYCDs Jabbawockeez. Free.

HOW TO SIGN UP:
To receive a brochure, registration form or for more information, please contact Sarah Thompson, Youth Arts Institute Coordinator, at sarah.thompson@charteroakcenter.org or (860) 249-1207.

Welcome to Youth Arts Institute!

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Charter Oak’s Youth Arts Institute is a safe, nurturing after-school environment where the arts are shared, taught, explored and encouraged. We promote peace, harmony, honesty and above all, access of the arts to all.

Here at Youth Arts, young artists, ages 5-17, have the opportunity to explore and create in a variety of art forms, including painting, drawing, printmaking, collage, sculpture, fabric arts, miming, poetry & spoken word, breakdancing, hip hop, yoga, acting, sign language, music, acting and voice.

Youth Arts Institute is always free for any young artist. We are growing, changing and becoming advocates of peace through that arts and hope you'll follow our journey here on our blog!