Registration for the 20th annual Arts Outreach Summertime Arts Program will begin Monday

Registration for the 20th annual Arts Outreach Summertime Arts Program will begin Monday.

This popular art-based summer program, held at Los Olivos Elementary School, is offered to students that are currently completing kindergarten through eighth grades.

There are morning, afternoon or all day options during the four, one-week sessions, beginning July 2 and running through July 27. Morning sessions run from 9 a.m. to Noon and include two classes. Afternoon sessions are from 1 to 4 p.m.

These summer classes will be tantalizing and unique. The first week’s morning session for kindergarten through second graders offers “2D or not 2D – that is the question,” an entertaining painting and drawing class along with, “There’s a Monster In My Painting.” The latter harnesses their imaginations to create spectacular and monstrous works of art.

Third through sixth graders can also sign up for “2D or not 2D,” which will take their drawing and painting techniques to a higher level. They can also enroll in “It’s in the Bag,” a fun session where children will be given a different grab bag to create their art from every day.

The afternoon class for kindergarten through fourth graders will be “Life is a bowl of Cherries,” which will explore the mediums of clay and papier mache under the instruction of popular Arts Outreach artist Suzanne Getz-Merry.

The second week’s morning program offers a chance to experience the art of woodworking in “If I had a Hammer” for all kids from kindergarten through sixth graders.

The kindergarten through second graders will also be introduced to multicultural songs, stories and instruments in “Chain of Songs,” a lively interactive music workshop with Teresa McNeil MacLean. The older students can complete their morning with a drawing class, using a variety of mediums in “Draw what You See, Hear and Feel.”

The afternoon class is open to students from third grade through eighth grade and we are very excited to offer an introduction to “Spanish Dancing” with Antionette Lopez, a Santa Barbara Flamenco teacher with 30 years of experience.

The third week’s morning program offers kindergarten through sixth graders the chance to “Make Your Very Own Comic Book.” The class will be age appropriate and follow the process of making a comic book, from creating the storyline to producing a final product. Kindergarten to second graders can then experience “Happy Feet – Keep the Beat,” an innovative and interactive music program. Meanwhile, third through sixth graders will be “Steppin” Out,” where they will have the opportunity to be songwriters and create songs of their own. These fun music workshops are being brought to the Santa Ynez Valley for the first time by Susan Gabriel, singer, songwriter and founder of Around–In-Sound-Enterprise (ARISE!).

In the afternoon, students from third through eighth grades can enjoy “Learn to Love Theater,” a workshop covering different theatrical techniques including learning different dialects, reading scripts, characterization and beginning stand-up comedy, taught by Santa Barbara comedian Nicky Shane.

During the fourth week, both kindergarten through second graders and third through sixth graders will be “Sketching with Nature” in the morning. In this class they will use viewfinders, investigate negative versus positive space and take a walking field trip to enhance their drawing skills.

“Sketching with Nature” is followed by “Draw it, Paint it, Sculpt it,” where the 3-D world of mythical creatures will be explored. They will draw, paint and make their very own mythical creature.

Week four will see a pair of afternoon classes offered. Kindergarten through fourth graders will have the opportunity to explore “Painting Above and Below the Water,” a painting and drawing class, while third through eighth graders are invited to sign up for “Niches.” This is a creative class where students will assemble, paint, and decorate a wooden “Niche” box, which will explore their hobbies, interests and individual creativity as they set up their own personal “portrait.” This popular class taught by veteran-artist Beth Amine is sure to fill up.

All of the art teachers for Arts Outreach have extensive experience with their art, as well as teaching children. Class sizes are limited to 15 students or less.

Flyers are being distributed to local elementary schools this week. Registration for this popular summer program begins Monday. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Scholarships are available.

For a flyer, more information, or to enroll, please call Arts Outreach at 688-9533 or e-mail Catherine@artsoutreach.com.