Creativity in Children and Teens

The human mind needs time to experiment, learn and create. In an age when kids are often rushed to grow up, taking the time to learn hands-on art – traditional arts such as ceramics, as well fun, experimental ones such as cartooning – can support intellectual growth. Creative thinking is born by experimenting with tactile materials and with ideas.

At the Southwest School, talented artist-teachers teach the fundamentals of painting, drawing, ceramics, sculpture, printmaking, photography and many other specialty classes. To learn more about our youth programs, click on a link below.

Summer Art Camp offers one- and two-week long classes, concentrating on a specific media or subject and offering creative learning experiences in a positive, nurturing and fun environment.

Saturday Studio Classes are similar in concentration to summer classes, but meet one to six weeks on Saturdays during the school year.

Saturday Morning Discovery (SMD) offers a free family art experience on Saturday mornings during the school year. This nationally-recognized program is now more than 35 years old!

Mobile Arts Program (MAP) brings hands-on art experiences to tens of thousands of children in 60 schools, community centers and social service agencies throughout the San Antonio metropolitan area.



Jim LaVilla-Havelin • Director, Young Artist Programs, received his BA in American Studies from Empire State College and an MS in Education from Bank Street College . He is a published poet and educator.

Regina Sanders • Young Artist Programs Assistant Director and Saturday Morning Discovery Coordinator, holds Associate Degrees in Fine Arts and Illustration/ Fashion from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. She is a former fine arts instructor for a magnet school in Houston.

Summer Art Camp offers one- and two-week long classes concentrating on a specific media or subject and providing creative learning experiences in a positive, nurturing and fun environment.

How to register
In 2008, registration for members begins on Tuesday, March 25, for registrations that have been faxed or mailed in to the Registration Office. Member in-person registrations will also be taken on Wednesday, March 26, in the first floor of the Old Dormitory Building at the Southwest School of Art & Craft, Ursuline Campus, 300 Augusta.

For families which are not members of the art school, faxed, mailed, or in-person registrations will be accepted on Thursday, March 27.

On Friday, March 28, registration is fully open, and all forms of registration (including registration over the phone) will be available for all families.

Download the Summer Art Camp registration form in PDF format here

2008 Dates and classes

Because Summer Art Camp offers individualized instruction, enrollment is limited to 10 students per class unless otherwise noted. All classes are taught by a professional artist who will help inspire and develop individual expression.

AGE RANGE
Summer Art Camp classes are open to ages 5 – teens. Classes are designed to fit the skill set for a specific age range. Age ranges are based on this and not on the artistic ability of the child. No exceptions are made.

Because we’re committed to a high-quality educational experience for all the young artists at Summer Art Camp, our youngest artists — 5- and 6-year-olds —may enroll for half-day only.

Teen classes are geared to ages 13 – 16, however older students may register.

LOCATION
Classes offered, unless otherwise noted, are held on the park-like grounds of the Southwest School of Art & Craft (SSAC), Ursuline Campus (across from the Central Library).

COSTS
Tuition for Summer Art Camp includes material fees unless otherwise noted. Family members of SSAC receive a tuition discount on all classes. Costs shown are for ONE WEEK of classes.

Half Day Tuition @ SSAC
Half day consists of one class per day for 5 days, Monday – Friday. Both morning (9:00A – 12:00N) and afternoon (1:00 – 3:00P) classes are offered.

Two-week class tuition (unless other noted) @ SSAC

Eight-week class tuition (unless other noted) @ SSAC

Full Day Camp @ SSAC
A full day, 8:30A – 5:30P, consists of a morning class (3 hours), a supervised lunch hour, an afternoon class (2 hours) and fun, supervised after-class activities (2 hours). Choose one morning and one afternoon class. NOTE: The Full Day Camp option is NOT open to 5- & 6-year-olds.

LUNCH
A supervised lunch hour, from 12:00N to 1:00P, is scheduled as part of the Full Day Art Camp only. Students have the option of bringing a bag lunch from home, or purchasing a lunch ticket at sign-in. Lunch prices will be provided upon enrollment.

SCHOLARSHIPS
A limited number of scholarships are available each year for Summer Art Camp classes. Awarded on the basis of need and artistic promise or interest, scholarship candidates must submit a letter (in December, January or February) from a parent and one from a teacher. For further information and guidelines, please call Jim LaVilla-Havelin, Young Artist Programs Director, at 224-1848 ext. 331.

SPECIAL NEEDS
If you feel your child needs special consideration, please contact Jim LaVilla-Havelin, Young Artist Programs Director, at 210. 224.1848 ext.331, before registration to discuss reasonable accommodations.

Each class is limited to just 10 students, and is offered at the school on Saturday afternoons during the school year.

View a currect list of available classes, or call 224-1848 and ask for Registration, or ask to receive a print catlog.

SATURDAY MORNING DISCOVERY

Saturday Morning Discovery is a free introductory art experience offered for children on Saturday mornings during the school year.

This family-oriented program has been in place for nearly 40 years, giving children ages 5-16 a chance to work with artist-teachers in a wide variety of media -- ceramics, drawing and painting, pinhole photography, silk-screening, stained glass, origami, and seasonal activities. Parents or guardians are required to stay with the children throughout the program and often work alongside them.

In 2006, the San Antonio Downtown Alliance honored Saturday Morning Discovery with its Downtown’s BEST OF SAN ANTONIO Award in the Cultural category – which just goes to show that you don’t have to be the newest kid on the block to still be enriching lives and having fun.

Each month-long session meets from 9:30 - 11:30am on Saturdays. Advance reservations are required. For more information, call Regina Sanders, SMD Program Coordinator, at 210.224.1848 ext 321. To register for a specific month, call our Registration Office, 210.224.1848, ext 327 / 334.

MOBILE ARTS PROGRAM

The Mobile Arts Program brings artists into public schools, shelters, hospitals and community centers throughout all parts of San Antonio.

While most public schools have cut back in art education, this program offers hands-on activities and demonstrations by practicing artists. These high-quality educational programs complement classroom curriculum and benefit 25,000 children each year. Activities include book arts, drawing and painting, clay, sculpture, weaving, design and architecture.

Teachers and administrators should contact Jim LaVilla-Havelin, Young Artist Programs Director, at 210.224.1848 ext 331 for a complete program description.

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