Arts on Main: Summer art programs
Arts On Main, located at 415 Main St. in Van Buren, offers a wide variety of art and education classes to keep kids entertained during the summer months. The programs provide various activities for children that last from one to several hours, as well as week-long art camps.
Wee Draw classes provide an hour of entertainment for 3- to 5-year-olds each Monday and Wednesday in June, and Tuesday and Thursday in July at the gallery's Creative U Studio. Each class will focus on a different book with a related art activity and explore different elements and principles of art in a fun, kid-friendly way. Parents can enroll kids in one or multiple classes.
Studio workshops for targeted age groups, designed to maximize engagement and the learning process, are also available. Workshops include designing and building a robot that performs an art function; learning how to use industrial materials to design and create a variety of useful art projects; infusing math and science concepts to create a big Circle Design, 3D, geometric wall hanging and a Pythagorean proof puzzle; and exploring the elements and principles of art using different mediums in the styles of Henri Matisse, Salvador Dali and Picasso.
Adults can enjoy culinary experiences, painting, ceramic and pottery classes, relax on the Roofscape patio, or read in the library while their students are in class.
Art camps are being offered through the summer at participating public libraries and Boys and Girls Club locations in Alma, Cedarville, Mountainburg, Mulberry, Paris and Van Buren. Campers will enjoy fun and creative daily activities in painting, drawing, collage, clay and more.
Several must-see summer gallery exhibitions are also available to view.
"Reaching into Reality: The Works of John P. Lasater IV and Jason Sacran" and a design-focused show featuring Northwest Arkansas Community College student sculptures are on view through June 24.
The Arts on Main Annual Adult Art Competition will celebrate traditional 2D and 3D artistic mediums including painting, drawing, mixed media, printmaking and digital art. Hundreds of works by local artists will adorn the galleries beginning July 8 and will be on display through Sept. 25.
The galleries and Creative U Studio are free and open to the public. Hours are 1-4 p.m. Sunday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
For more information on the summer art programs and to register, visit the Arts on Main website.
This column is produced by the River Valley Arts Coalition. To send comments or for more information contact daleana@fsram.org.
ART THIS WEEK:
Fort Smith Regional Art Museum, 1601 Rogers Ave., Fort Smith; 479-784-2787
Feng Zikai: Selections from the Permanent Collection: On view June 11 through Sept. 11.
Shabana Kauser: Dupatta – Journey of Life and Cultural Identity: On view June 11 through Sept. 11.
Future School Art Exhibition – Bridge to the Future: On view through Aug. 28.
Doyle Young Painted Stories: Reflections of Southern Days Gone By: On view through Sept. 25.
Drop-in and Draw: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Thursday; register at fsram.org/education.
RAM Sketch: 7-8 p.m. every Tuesday register at fsram.org/education.
RAM Saturdays: Register at fsram.org/education.
UAFS Gallery of Art & Design, 535 N. Waldron Road, Fort Smith; 479-788-7542
UAFS Gallery of Art & Design Permanent Collection Highlights: Works on Paper: On view through Aug. 26.
Arts on Main, 415 Main St., Van Buren; 479-474-7767
Gallery admission is always free and open to the public; AOM members receive a discount on registration fees.
Art programs for children and adults: Visit art-ed.org for available classes and workshops.
This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: RVAB: Summer art programs at Arts on Main
