Art In Schools
Photography by Cristy Nielsen
ARTwork by Adriana Generallo
Creative expression is by far one of the most important things you can cultivate in your child. Creativity breeds a sense of accomplishment and the ability to problem solve, and — let’s face it — just makes your kid more fun. Take a look inside local private schools to get a peek at their unique art classes for kids. We know you’ll be impressed.
ArtSmart
The ArtSmart program at Bright Horizons recognizes that young children can develop an appreciation for the arts. This comprehensive program explores the visions of artists, dancers, musicians and writers, enabling students to distinguish, and enjoy, artistic expression. Bright Horizons seeks to uncover children’s unique talents and abilities to express their creative vision. ArtSmart project work fuels interest and enthusiasm, ultimately enhancing and complementing the learning evoked from spontaneous play and instruction. Projects broaden and deepen understanding, sending children off to explore the inner workings of the world and apply emerging skills and understanding.
Bright Horizons 407-654-9693 • 1660 Daniels Rd., Winter Garden 34787 www.brighthorizons.com/wintergarden
Visual Arts Program
The Christ School’s Visual Arts Program develops creativity and art appreciation in various media. Art projects encourage aesthetic awareness of art history. For example, kindergarteners use Russian abstract expressionist Kandinsky’s style to create paintings with shapes and colors of their choice. Middle school offers electives, including printmaking, photography and drawing. After-school art classes explore art through recycled art, bookmaking, painting and sculpture. The Christ School’s Arts in April annual event features student artwork influenced by modern and contemporary artists. The Christ School has partnered with the Downtown Arts District and City Arts Factory to display artwork from April 15 – May 13.
The Christ School 407-849-1665 • 106 E. Church St., Orlando 32801 www.thechristschool.org
Art Summer Camps
The JCC of Greater Orlando’s summer camps will rock your child’s summer with creative options like Pop Squad, Cheer and Tumble camp, Backstage Pass (teaching film and TV acting) camp and Camp Broadway Bound: A Musical Tribute to Grease. These artistic programs will be taught at the JCC’s Dr. Phillips campus by pros from places such as Disney and Universal. The camps at the Maitland campus include Video Game Design, Photography, Cheer and Gymnastics, and Theatre camp featuring productions of Jack and the Beanstalk and Sleeping Beauty. At the JCC, all children of all faiths are welcome and have fun.
JCC of Greater Orlando 407-645-5933 • 851 N. Maitland Ave., Maitland 32751 407-387-5330 • 11184 S. Apopka Vineland Rd., Orlando 32836 www.jccsummercamp.com
Diverse Art Options
Lake Mary Preparatory School, and its community, is committed to cultivating the value of scholarship, creativity and the fellowship of a diverse student body. Recognizing the variety of ways in which students learn, the faculty and staff strive to empower them to be lifelong learners and responsible citizens of the world. Students with an interest in the arts have the opportunity to develop their creative skills through violin, band, chorus, drama, 2-D/3-D art, ceramics, glass, film and broadcasting, and graphic design programs. Pre-K3 through grade 12 receive a nurturing, challenging, success-oriented program that is appropriate developmentally, academically, socially, emotionally and physically.
Lake Mary Preparatory School 407-805-0095 • 650 Rantoul Ln., Lake Mary 32746 www.lakemaryprep.com
Extensive Art Study
Sweetwater Episcopal Academy, a Pre-K5 to fifth-grade independent school, is strongly arts-focused. Weekly art lessons often are intertwined with main curriculum content. For instance, students may make clothes and necklaces while studying Africa. Extensive art study is the pride of the art program, with students studying techniques by the original masters, beginning in pre-K with van Gogh. The fifth-graders culminate their social studies careers with a historic American art form — quilting. Each student creates and embroiders one square on a class-elected topic. This year’s quilt is “famous Floridians.” An after-school art club is available for those seeking extra art instruction.
Sweetwater Episcopal Academy 407-862-1882 • 251 E. Lake Brantley Dr., Longwood 32779 www.sweetwaterepiscopal.org
Artyology
With the school’s mission to educate “the whole child,” the arts at Park Maitland School are part of its foundation. Encompassing an appreciation for beauty, the thrill of performance and the freedom of creative expression, the school enchants visitors with the vast array of student artwork filling the halls. Students learn about art history in a program created by parents, dubbed “Artyology.” A new artist is studied each month, and the children enjoy activities using the style and medium of that artist. See for yourself on Friday, April 30, at the Art & Variety Faire, where every child displays his artwork.
Park Maitland School 407-647-3038 • 1450 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland 32751 www.parkmaitland.org
