KidzArt… Confidence Soars and Creativity Rules!
This is KidzArt!
KidzArt offers unique art enrichment programs designed to help students of all ages enhance artistic skills and knowledge, build self-confidence and grow as creative thinkers and problem solvers.
Our team of highly qualified instructors is committed to providing students with an ongoing, educationally rich and highly engaging creative forum in which to explore a broad array of artistic styles and techniques and to experiment with professional quality materials.
The core KidzArt drawing-based curriculum has been developed by professional artists and educators to meet and exceed the National Visual Art Standards. KidzArt programs have benefited students for over 15 years and are currently offered in hundreds of communities in 27 states.
During each KidzArt session, students will
- Produce original works of art.
- Explore ways to solve problems by “thinking outside the box” and breaking down that which is complex into manageable pieces and parts.
- Experiment with a wide variety of two and three dimensional artist quality mediums.
- Enhance their knowledge of artists, art history and cultural influences on art.
- Practice focus and relaxation techniques.
- Experience the joy and fun of the creative process!
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What KidzArt Students Will Explore
* ARTISTS * ART HISTORY * ARTISTIC STYLES & TECHNIQUES *
* CULTURAL INFLUENCES ON ART *
* THE VOCABULARY OF ART*
Media
Prismacolor Professional Art Markers, Watercolors, Chalk Pastels, Oil Pastels,
Prismacolor Art Stix and Colored Pencils, Acrylics on Canvas, Charcoal, Polymer Clay,
Sculpture Wire, Copper (tooling), Recycled Materials and more!
Elements of Art
Line, Color, Value, Shape / Form, Texture, Space
Principles of Design
Balance, Emphasis, Contrast, Unity, Repetition
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Team KidzArt
Tracy Feld,
Executive Director
Our complicated and fast-paced world hurries children and asks a great deal of them. Sometimes, the immeasurable benefits of arts education are lost along the way. I am passionate about helping parents give their children the dual gifts of time and creative opportunity.
We are fortunate to be in the business of telling children that they have much to offer, and that in art, they are 100% RIGHT. Our curriculum is challenging, but there are no grades in KidzArt. No tests. No opposing teams. Just fun, innovation, and growth. We are witness to beautiful transformations as children come to express ideas that are important to them, persevere in something that matters to them, and create works that bring them pride.
For me, KidzArt is more than a business. It is a connection to families, schools, and organizations within my community. I welcome opportunities to give back through scholarships, auction fundraisers, free classes, and donations to local schools and charities. In addition, I have enjoyed bringing together a fantastic group of caring instructors. We meet on a regular basis to discuss our curriculum and classes. We are always striving to present the very best program possible.
KidzArt is my leap back into the working world after staying home with my daughters for eight years. And in this job, I get to teach, encourage, give, and PLAY WITH MARKERS AND PAINT! What in the world could be better?
Vicki Harvey, Program Director
Vicki is an accomplished marketer of everything from hotel meeting packages to Black & Decker power tools. Her work experience along with her knowledge and love of Howard County make her an asset to the KidzArt team. Through her work with KidzArt, Vicki hopes to re-introduce art to those who say they "can't do it"; she knows once they are exposed, they will catch the bug and enjoy KidzArt to its fullest! Vicki also hopes to introduce more of the senior population to art this year.
A busy mother of two, Vicki loves to cook with her daughter and do puzzles with her son. Vicki is excited and proud to be with KidzArt from its very beginning in Howard County. Her goal is to grow the program throughout the area, making its magic available to as many "kidz" of all ages as possible.
KidzArt Instructors
Join the KA team! Call 410-489-0323.
Your KidzArt class will be taught by one of our talented Certified Instructors (CIs).
Lauren Coughlin "I am a graduate student at UMBC for art education and Esol with an extremely useful (mind the sarcasm) BA in Ancient Studies. I have traveled all around the world. I have to travel lest my wanderlust get out of control. I want to eventually start a free art program in different cities to compensate for the lack of funding for art and music programs. I also rock at most all forms of art."
Kris Hamill is the proud and devoted mother of four who enjoys her two grandchildren immensely. Drawing on her gentle, natural connection with children, Kris has been very active in the community working in Montessouri settings, and also with children with special needs. With SeniorzArt, Kris has earned much love and respect for her uncanny connection with the wonderfully creative residents of Harmony Hall and Lorien Center. Watching Kris teach older citizens how to take risks and DRAW is truly inspiring. Kris says that she is passionate about her work with KidzArt and with a local daycare/pre-school. In her free time, she is all about family, gardening, and art. 
Jules Heles or "Ms. Jules" is from Rochester, NY. She has a background in interior design, and is a proud partner of a junk shop in Hampden called Hampden Junque . She enjoys designing the shop's windows. Jules has worked with special needs children in institutional settings, and is very happy to be a KidzArt teacher. Jules has two children, ages 6 and 10, who are incredible artists due to their constant exposure to the arts.
Erica Murray has always been interested in anything that has to do with art. She was the President of the National Art Honors Society at Howard High School in 2003. Erica is currently studying Photography at Howard Community College. Her work has been recognized at both Howard Community College's student art show and the Howard County Fair. She hopes to continue on to a 4 year art school, study art education, and become an art educator in Baltimore City.
Ebbie Slacum comes to us with a bachelors degree in Psychology from UMBC, 12 years of experience working with children and a lifetime of loving art. For the past 4 years she has enjoyed working as a nanny and truly cherishes the relationships she builds with the families with whom she works. Outside of teaching, she loves spending time with her family and friends on the eastern shore, traveling and taking lots and lots of pictures! Ebbie has vivid and fond memories of her experiences with art as a child and is excited about being a part of the amazing art memories of her KidzArtists!
Dianne Burbank is a mother of 2 wonderful girls ages 9 & 11. She is also a freelance graphic designer and a Girl Scout leader. Dianne received her BFA in design from Shepherd University and has won numerous design awards for her work. She has worked in the graphic design field for over 20 years and now is excited to bring her passion for art to young children.
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James Tsikerdanos is a sophomore at the Corcoran College of Art and Design and is enrolled in their BFA/MAT for Art Education. He is also an ROTC cadet at Howard University and is going into his third year of military service with the Army. Teaching art has been a goal of his from his senior year in Reservoir High School and can't wait to get started teaching with KidzArt. -
Leah Ortanez will be graduating from the University of Maryland with a master's degree in Art Education. She has studied Contemporary Tailored Design at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, where her instructor noted that her drawings "always pushed the envelope." She was never scared to mix mediums and always worked with her mistakes! Leah was delighted to find a program that complemented her own drawing methodology and philosophy, and loves the Kidzart message that everyone is an artist and that everyone can draw! Her illustrations are often featured in a non-profit newspaper for kids, Indykids. Leah has a weak spot for white parakeets, nutella, and Roald Dahl. 
Kerri Misiaszek has earned her bachelors of fine arts with her concentration in painting, and has shown her senior project at Towson's University Senior Art Show at the Towson Commons in spring of 2006. Since then she has created an outdoor mural for a local business in Baltimore, and has executed graphic design projects from T-shirts to logos and letterheads. Passionate about design, art and the benefits of using creativity on a daily basis, her warm and personable attitude will intrigue children into learning how to use their problem-solving skills often and unconsciously.
Mark Stoehr was born and raised in Howard County. He received a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from The University of Maryland and is currently working towards his Masters degree in acupuncture at Tai Sophia Institute in Laurel. Mark is currently utilizing his creative abilities to build a consulting business which helps medical professionals to develop business strategies. Mark's hobbies include boating, biking, bodyboarding, photography, skateboarding and snowboarding.
Cherie Glorioso has been painting and drawing nearly all her life. She enjoys teaching art to children to help them gain an appreciation for creating something beautiful. A single mom of a 10 year old boy, Cherie is pursuing her degree in art education at CCBC, and is also a photographer. Cherie believes that everyone has the ability to create art and enjoys guiding students on their own artistic adventures. She says, "It is always my pleasure and honor to play with my students and make sure that we all have fun. After all, there are no mistakes!"
Liz Hudy is a mother to an amazing four-year old daughter. She is currently a freelance makeup artist but her varied background includes both interior design and the military. Liz has her Associate's Degree in Interior Design and Architecture from Anne Arundel Community College, and is pursuing her Bachelor's Degree online. Her ultimate goal is to be an art teacher, and working with KidzArt will be an invaluable experience. She says, "Combining art and my love of working with children is a passion of mine and I consider myself lucky to be involved with KidzArt!"
Elissa Kim says, "Art has always been a vital and integral part of my life. I enjoy painting, drawing, collage and photography. The Kidzart philosophy that everyone can learn how to draw is something I've always truly believed. I'm proud to be a part of a team that understands the value of art education for young, developing minds. I just recently received my B.A. in studio art from the University of Maryland. I am working towards getting my Masters in Art Therapy (although recently, an MFA is looking very appealing to me). My likes include Mexican food, basketball, indie films, hip- hop, the color green, and my dog Charlie."
The Facts: Highlights of Arts Education Research
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)
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School / Community Facility Administrators: 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.
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KidzArt® uses only high quality, non-toxic art materials.
