At KidzArt our goal is to provide your child with a creative outlet that is educationally rich, engaging, and above all – exciting and fun.  Our team of highly qualified instructors is committed to providing students with an ongoing, creative forum in which to explore a broad array of artistic styles and techniques and to experiment with professional quality materials. KidzArt allows the student to produce original works of art, complimented with artistic projects and exposure to many mediums, while enhancing creative self-expression in all areas

A KidzArt class provides your child with an unsurpassed art education. With KidzArt, the student will

• Produce original representational art in 1-4 classes.
• Learn in a non-competitive environment, which allows creativity to flow easily.
• Experiment with a wide variety of two and three dimensional professional, artist quality mediums.
• Complete art projects that enhance the drawing skills and are simple, fun and get great results.
• Learn to think creatively – outside the box
• Explore ways to solve problems by “thinking outside the box” and breaking down that which is complex into manageable pieces and parts.
• Always be excited by the new curriculum offered weekly. Curriculum is never repeated!
• Feel relaxed and open to learning new skills while having FUN.
• Build self-confidence with our ‘no mistakes philosophy’.
• Gain a lifetime love of art that will allow their creativity to take flight!

KidzArt is proud to give back to the community it serves!  We will always provide at least one scholarship per session to each of our locations and are always exploring other ways in which we can give back to the community.

With KidzArt, students will explore the language of art!  The students are exposed to various mediums including, but not limited to:

• Prismacolor Professional Art Markers
• Watercolors
• Chalk Pastels
• Oil Pastels
• Prismacolor Art Stix and Colored Pencils
• Charcoal
• Polymer Clay
• Sculpture Wire
• Recycled Materials and more!

The students will learn to appreciate the elements of art including line, color, Value, Shape / Form, Texture, and Space.

Young people who participate in the arts for a minimum of three hours across three days each week for at least one year are:

• 4 times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement.
• 3 times more likely to be elected to class office within their schools.
• 4 times more likely to participate in a math and science fair.
• 3 times more likely to win an award for school attendance.
• 4 times more likely to win an award for writing an essay or poem.

Young artists, as compared with their peers, are likely to:

• Attend music, art, and dance classes nearly three times as frequently.
• Participate in youth groups nearly four times as frequently.
• Read for pleasure nearly twice as often.
• Perform community service more than four times as often.

(Living the Arts through Language + Learning:   Shirley Brice Heath, Stanford University and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, Americans for the Arts Monograph, November 1998)

• Do I need to be “artistic” to take this class?
  Absolutely not!  Even if you haven’t EVER felt artistic, KidzArt will lead you through the process in a way that will build your confidence.
• What if I’ve never been able to draw?  EVER?
  Then KidzArt/SeniorzArt is for YOU!  You will be astonished at how easy your confidence will grow in this non-competitive class!
• But won’t it be embarrassing to be the one who CAN’T draw?
  NEVER!  Our instructors create a non-critical classroom environment where everyone is encouraged to take a risk and be creative!
• Do we always just ‘DRAW”?
  KidzArt is primarily a drawing-based program, but you will be exposed to a variety of mediums to enhance your artistic experience.
• Can I draw whatever I want?
  Students are led through a specific curriculum, but they are encouraged to add their own creativity to each project.
• Why can’t I use a pencil with an eraser?
  At KidzArt we understand how scary the drawing process can be for most people.  By using a pen to draw, students are able to break through the mental barrier that prevents them from being creative.
• Do we ever use other mediums?
  YES!  At KidzArt you will have the opportunity to use many mediums, including charcoal, watercolors, and pastels, to name a few.
• Do I have to bring art supplies from home?
  NO!  KidzArt will provide all the art supplies necessary to complete each project.   We are proud to use professional-grade products in our art classes, including Prismacolor graphic design markers and colored pencils and many other items!

How KidzArt Works

KidzArt programs are easy to set up

• Together we decide which days of the week work best for your school or facility and students.
• Together we determine how KidzArt can best give back to your school, district, facility or community.

General Information

• KidzArt is an ongoing, elective art enrichment program offered on-site in your facility.
• With our on-site after school programs students come directly to KidzArt after school and are greeted by their KidzArt Instructor.
• KidzArt is a portable program.  Our instructors bring all of the professional quality materials and supplies needed each week and leave your space in impeccable condition when the class is over.
• Our instructors are highly qualified individuals with a passion for art and significant experience in working with children.  Most come from elementary education, art education or fine art backgrounds.   Full background checks and fingerprinting are completed for each instructor.
• After KidzArt class students are released to a parent, authorized party or to an aftercare program, where applicable.
• Elementary through junior high classes are generally held weekly for one hour and pre-school classes for 45 minutes.
• Students are placed in KidzArt classes in age-appropriate groups of no more than 15 (10 for pre-school) to optimize their experience and results.
• All registration, tuition collection and administrative functions can be managed by KidzArt.  Your school or facility simply provides space and enthusiasm for the program.
• KidzArt offers plenty of flexibility to work within your school, district or facility guidelines and to meet your specific program needs.

KidzArt of Pinellas County opened in the Summer 2006 and currently serves St. Petersburg, Pinellas Park, Seminole, the surrounding areas and beaches. 

Heidi Sutton – Executive Director/Owner and Certified Instructor
My career prior to having my son was 17+ years in the Financial Services industry where my last position was in project management and relationship management at a premier investment bank.  After being a stay at home mother for almost 3 years I was ready to re-enter the workforce.  I truly loved my former career and found it very exciting and financially rewarding.  However, I was ready for a new challenge that would be far more emotionally rewarding on a daily basis.  My son, Benjamin – now 3, has taught me that children are so very precious and so very unique. Working with children is both rewarding and inspirational so I knew this was the right move. 

I have always had an appreciation for the Arts and KidzArt has shown me that you are never too old to learn and you never know what you are truly capable of until you try.  I made a beautiful drawing my first time out to visit with the home office and I was truly amazed at what I was able to do by following the KidzArt approach. I had a new student (to KidzArt) in the first class that I ever instructed and Corey, age 12, created the beautiful artwork you see to the right.  I am a true believer in this program and I want to share the joy and wonderment of it with my community.

Our Certified Instructors

We are very fortunate to have a team of highly talented, experienced and enthusiastic instructors who see KidzArt as a way to combine their passion of art and their love of children into one cohesive unit.  All of our instructors have been skillfully trained in the KidzArt methodology and are true believers of the process because they have seen it work wonders!  They all share our love of art and our love of children.  KidzArt of Pinellas County requires that all of our instructors are Level 2 Background Checked through the Pinellas County School Board (Jessica Lundsford Act). This means that each instructor is fingerprinted and those prints are compared against the FDLE and FBI databases. Also, we require that all instructors are trained in CPR and First Aid for infant, child, and adult.

If you think being a KidzArt Certified Instructor is right for you, Please Contact Us to discuss this opportunity!

Gillian Brundage, Certified Instructor
I am a recent 2006 graduate of Eckerd College. I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. My major was History and Minor, fine arts. I have been working with children for many years and the last four years as a nanny to a set of five-year-old twins. My education combined with work experience has shown me the importance of art to children and people of all ages and talents. I am very excited to be a part of the KidzArt team and a true believer in the program.

Amy Volpe, Certified Instructor
I am so excited to be involved with KidzArt! My educational background is in fine arts and I have a true passion for it. I have been instructing art classes and working with children for several years and I can not think of anything more enjoyable. I love to have the opportunity to encourage kids to find their creativity and express themselves.

Jessica Barbier, Certified Instructor
In 2006, I graduated from The Savannah College of Art and Design with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Art History. I have worked with kids through the American Red Cross and other after-school venues. In addition, I have helped develop art programs for various museums. I had a passion for art early in life, and, fortunately, was encouraged in this area. I am excited to join the KidzArt team because I would like to help kids with an interest in art gain confidence in their creative abilities.

Brooke Dressler, Certified Instructor 
Art in any form is what I live for.  Currently, I am a pre-med student with a dream to eventually open a large non-profit heath clinic that blends traditional and natural medicine.  But first and foremost comes my passion for art and music - I am an abstract oil painter and I also compose music on the piano.  I can’t imagine a life without creative expression and therefore am absolutely thrilled to be a part of KidzArt!  It is an amazing experience to watch a child grow from an unsure, budding artist into a confident and wholly creative being, allowing themselves to create anything their soul is experiencing…  I’m a firm believer that the KidzArt curriculum and philosophy can transform anyone into an amazing artist.  After all - if you can dream, you can create...

Heather Mullilns, Certified Instructor 
I am a student, currently pursuing a degree in Fine Arts. As an art student, my favorite classes have been drawing, which is why I'm thrilled to be able to share that experience with kids. I have been involved with kids as both a babysitter and a nanny but really enjoy working with them within the artistic context. KidzArt provides a perfect environment for both
structured teaching and inspired creativity, and I'm very happy to be a part of it.

KidzArt is proud to partner with UPPZ and the JCC of Pinellas! Classes are now being offered at the Ultimate Party & Play Zone and the JCC! Click this “Schedules & Registration” link or the blue button at the top-right of the page to see class details and times.

 

 

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KidzArt^® uses only high quality, non-toxic art materials.