Arts Council offers new Arts Academy classes
By Becky Barclay
Published in News on September 5, 2018 5:50 AM
The Arts Council of Wayne County is starting something new in Goldsboro -- the Arts Academy.
It will be a program of 19 classes for both adults and children. There will be such topics are drawing, acrylics, watercolor, sewing, pottery and knitting. Each will be 10 weeks long.
All of the classes are being offered for adults and children.
The Arts Academy was developed by the Arts Council's office manager, Karen Kestler, and lead instructor, Stacia Weed.
"We just started brainstorming on classes," Kestler said.
"We have noticed that in the public schools, it's very difficult, with all their other expectations, to offer extended arts programs. The teachers do a phenomenal job, but for those who are interested in investigating art and experiencing art, it's difficult to do in the public school system."
As the idea of an Arts Academy developed for children, Kestler said she heard more and more adults say they were also interested in art and asked for classes for adults as well.
"For adults and children, it's a creative outlet," Weed said. "It's really nice to be able to offer classes like this to kids in this community."
"Arts are important for kids because I believe there isn't any skill you can't teach using art," Kestler said. "Math skills, reading skills, science skills -- all of those are involved in art. It's also a great self-confidence booster for children. They enjoy doing it, and it's a skills that they will use their whole life.
"For adults, it's a great stress reliever, and it's a great social activity."
Weed also said the Arts Academy offers a more one-on-one experience for both adults and children, with classes being between three and eight students.
The Arts Academy runs for 10 weeks, from Sept. 10 through Nov. 19. The deadline for registering is Friday. You can register by calling the Arts Council at 919-736-3300, printing a registration form by going to www.artsinwayne.org or online at Eventbrite.com. Fees for the various classes vary.
The schedule of this 10-week Arts Academy is:
• Mondays from 9 to 10:30 a.m. will be intro to drawing
• Tuesdays from 9 to 10:30 a.m. will be intro to acrylics
• Wednesdays from 9 to 10:30 a.m. will be watercolor
• Thursdays from 9 to 10:30 a.m. will be intro to sewing
• Mondays from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. will be pencil and charcoal portraits
• Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. will be pet portraits with acrylics
• Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. will be sewing with patterns
• Mondays from 1:30 to 3 p.m. will be figure drawing
• Tuesdays from 1:30 to 3 p.m. will be acrylic landscapes
• Wednesdays from 1:30 to 3 p.m. will be art for homeschoolers
• Thursdays from 1:30 to 3 p.m. will be sewing alternatioins
• Mondays and Tuesdays from 3:45 to 5 p.m. will be intro to drawing for kids
• Wednesdays from 3:45 to 5 p.m. will be watercolor for youths
• Thursdays from 3:45 to 5 p.m. will be intro to sewing for youths
• Mondays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. will be pottery for kids
• Tuesdays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. will be knitters club
• Wednesdays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. will be multi-media for kids
• Thursdays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. will be intro to drawing for youths