Thursday, September 26, 6-8pm

Held in person at ABC LOL Child Care Center and Preschool, 1448 Memorial Dr, St Johnsbury

While this workshop is free, advance registration is required.

Ready to create a dynamic and engaging art center that fosters children's creativity and independent exploration? Learn practical strategies for setting up an art space that encourages open-ended art experiences, using affordable and easily accessible materials. We will cover essential topics including creating a welcoming environment, selecting appropriate materials, and setting up art invitations that support young children.

Learning Objectives:
● Participants will learn how to design and organize an art center that promotes open-ended art experiences, including selecting and arranging materials in a way that encourages experimentation and creativity among young children.
● Participants will explore ideas for setting up art invitations that stimulate children's imagination and foster independent exploration, while ensuring the art center remains easy to maintain and accessible to all learners.

April Zajko, M.Ed., Educational Consultant (she/her)is a seasoned early childhood educator (ECE) who draws on her nearly 25 years of classroom experience to lead meaningful and engaging professional learning opportunities for fellow ECEs. Since 2010, she has led professional development programs for thousands of early childhood educators, initially just in Vermont, and now throughout the country and beyond. April is also the founder and moderator of the Facebook group, Nature Inspired Teacher, which is an engaged group of over 18,000 educators. You can learn more about April at her website - www.natureinspiredteacher.com

Sundays, September 29-October 27, 2024

Catamount Arts Center, 115 Eastern Avenue, St. Johnsbury

Instructor: Margaret Wiseheart

Learn to see through an artist’s eyes and discover the joy of painting from direct observation. This class for beginners and intermediate painters will be centered on the art of observation as it applies to painting trees, plants, birds and landscapes. While instruction will be focused on oils, either regular or water soluble, students who are experienced with acrylics may use those instead. Drawing and painting experience is not required, just a desire to paint from life.

Class fee: $150 (10% discount for Catamount Arts members). We strive to make arts learning experiences accessible to all, regardless of ability to pay; please call Anne at 802-748-2600 ext. 109 to discuss payment plans or payment on a sliding scale.

Art students will purchase their own materials; upon enrollment, we will provide a list of supplies and suggestions for places to purchase them. We will provide some materials to help you get started on the first day of class; students can try them before purchasing their own.

Registration deadline: September 22. With a degree in fashion design and background as a dancer, Margaret Wiseheart has spent most of her professional career in the dance apparel industry and in designing costumes for professional theater and ballet companies. Primarily a self-taught artist, Margaret developed her skills as a landscape oil painter by painting from life. Now living part-time in Vermont, Margaret is thrilled to explore the beauty of the Northeast Kingdom through paint, and to shape the next phase of her life as an artist.

Sundays, September 29-October 27, 2024

Catamount Arts Center, 115 Eastern Avenue, St. Johnsbury

Instructor: Margaret Wiseheart

Learn to see through an artist’s eyes and discover the joy of painting from direct observation. This class for beginners and intermediate painters will be centered on the art of observation as it applies to painting trees, plants, birds and landscapes. While instruction will be focused on oils, either regular or water soluble, students who are experienced with acrylics may use those instead. Drawing and painting experience is not required, just a desire to paint from life.

Class fee: $135 (10% discount for Catamount Arts members). We strive to make arts learning experiences accessible to all, regardless of ability to pay; please call Anne at 802-748-2600 ext. 109 to discuss payment plans or payment on a sliding scale.

Art students will purchase their own materials; upon enrollment, we will provide a list of supplies and suggestions for places to purchase them. We will provide some materials to help you get started on the first day of class; students can try them before purchasing their own.

Registration deadline: September 22. With a degree in fashion design and background as a dancer, Margaret Wiseheart has spent most of her professional career in the dance apparel industry and in designing costumes for professional theater and ballet companies. Primarily a self-taught artist, Margaret developed her skills as a landscape oil painter by painting from life. Now living part-time in Vermont, Margaret is thrilled to explore the beauty of the Northeast Kingdom through paint, and to shape the next phase of her life as an artist.

Thursday, October 3, 5:30-7:30pm

Held in person at Bradford Elementary School, 143 Fairground Rd, Bradford, VT 05033

While this workshop is free, advance registration is required.

Early childhood educators should come prepared to play! In this session, Teaching Artist Alexandra Turner and ECE Expert April Zakjo will introduce participants to a wide variety of processes and materials for three-dimensional art-making in the early childhood classroom. We’ll explore recycled and upcycled materials, adhesives, household/grocery store supplies, DIY recipes for modeling materials and so much more! Topics of why and how to manage 3D art in the ECE classroom will be addressed, as well as the benefits of open-ended artmaking opportunities for young learners.

Learning Objectives:
● Participants will explore materials for sculptural art making in the early childhood setting
● Participants will plan for how to integrate and manage three-dimensional artmaking opportunities in their own early childhood classrooms
● Participants will gain an understanding of concepts of open-ended artmaking

Alexandra Turner, M.Ed. (she/her) is a teaching artist, professional development instructor, program director, and pre-doctoral fellow and Project RESILIENCY Scholar in Special Education: Social Emotional Behavioral Health and Inclusive Education, at the University of Vermont. Alexandra works with all ages in a variety of settings including public and private schools, preschools, galleries and community programs. In addition to residencies and workshops for students and community members, Alexandra works with statewide organizations to develop and lead professional development workshops for teachers, Teaching Artists, after-school and early-childhood professionals. Alexandra was an early childhood classroom teacher for over 5 years in Burlington, Vermont. She brings over ten years of experience in teaching artistry in the early childhood setting, as well as across the lifespan. Alexandra holds a BA in Studio Arts and an M.Ed. in Arts in Education.

April Zajko, M.Ed., Educational Consultant (she/her)is a seasoned early childhood educator (ECE) who draws on her nearly 25 years of classroom experience to lead meaningful and engaging professional learning opportunities for fellow ECEs. Since 2010, she has led professional development programs for thousands of early childhood educators, initially just in Vermont, and now throughout the country and beyond. April is also the founder and moderator of the Facebook group, Nature Inspired Teacher, which is an engaged group of over 18,000 educators. You can learn more about April at her website -www.natureinspiredteacher.com

Saturday, October 12, 11:00am-12:30pmCatamount Arts Center, 115 Eastern Avenue, St. Johnsbury

Instructor: Joanne George Create beautifully decorated papers by monoprinting and using ink, paint, mark making tools and stamps. The papers can be used for collaging, bookbinding, gift wrapping, card making, and other projects.

Class fee: $20, materials included. 10% discount for Catamount Arts members. Catamount Arts is committed to offering quality arts experiences for all students, regardless of ability to pay; please call Anne at 802-748-2600 ext. 109 for information about scholarship funds.

Joanne George of Glover is an emerging mixed media artist. She has been offering group and individual art lessons to adults and children for the past two years. Sharing her love of artmaking with others brings her great joy.

Saturday, October 12, 11:00am-12:30pmCatamount Arts Center, 115 Eastern Avenue, St. Johnsbury

Instructor: Joanne George Create beautifully decorated papers by monoprinting and using ink, paint, mark making tools and stamps. The papers can be used for collaging, bookbinding, gift wrapping, card making, and other projects.

Class fee: $18, materials included. 10% discount for Catamount Arts members. Catamount Arts is committed to offering quality arts experiences for all students, regardless of ability to pay; please call Anne at 802-748-2600 ext. 109 for information about scholarship funds.

Joanne George of Glover is an emerging mixed media artist. She has been offering group and individual art lessons to adults and children for the past two years. Sharing her love of artmaking with others brings her great joy.

Tuesdays, October 15, 22, 29, November 5, 19, 26 (no class on November 12, as we are coordinating with the Fairbanks Museum’s programming for homeschoolers), 10-11:30am

Catamount Arts Center, 115 Eastern Avenue, St Johnsbury

Instructor: Bri Johnson

Join us in this playground for budding humorists where young comedians can write about anything from make-believe museums to hilarious characters and whimsical businesses. Through playful prompts and activities, kids will explore the art of comedy, crafting a new guidebook filled with the imaginary attractions of Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. Participants will discover the secrets of surprise and exaggeration; learn the art of wordplay; and create quirky characters and immerse them in absurd situations. Whether your child dreams of becoming the next comedy sensation or simply loves making people laugh, this fun-filled class is sure to tickle their funny bone!

Class fee: $90 (10% discount for Catamount Arts members), with a 10% discount for siblings [Patrick, insert wording to lead them to paying for a spot and completing enrollment]. Catamount Arts is committed to offering quality arts experiences for all students, regardless of ability to pay; please call Anne at 802-748-2600 ext. 109 for information about scholarship funds.

A veteran children’s librarian and wordsmith with a background in printmaking, Bri Johnson blends visual art with storytelling from her old schoolhouse in the Northeast Kingdom. Her workshops and classes are filled with invention and laughter, and she aims to inspire children through exploration and wordplay, merging literary and visual arts in playful ways. Bri fosters a love for reading and artistic expression, empowering kids to find their voices in a supportive, whimsical environment. 

Thursday, October 17, 5:30-7:30pm

(Virtual session on Zoom)

While this workshop is free, advance registration is required.

In this session, early childhood educators will take a deep dive into the world of integrating the arts into social-emotional learning opportunities for young learners. Participants will discuss the how and why of arts integration, and begin curriculum building during the session. Bring your favorite book(s) for social-emotional learning topics, and we’ll go from there!

Learning Objectives:
● Participants will gain experience with concepts of arts integration
● Participants will share and compile a community-sourced list of books that promote social emotional learning
● Participants will begin building curricula that use arts integration to promote social emotional learning concepts for their young learners.

Alexandra Turner, M.Ed. (she/her) is a teaching artist, professional development instructor, program director, and pre-doctoral fellow and Project RESILIENCY Scholar in Special Education: Social Emotional Behavioral Health and Inclusive Education, at the University of Vermont. Alexandra works with all ages in a variety of settings including public and private schools, preschools, galleries and community programs. In addition to residencies and workshops for students and community members, Alexandra works with statewide organizations to develop and lead professional development workshops for teachers, Teaching Artists, after-school and early-childhood professionals. Alexandra was an early childhood classroom teacher for over 5 years in Burlington, Vermont. She brings over ten years of experience in teaching artistry in the early childhood setting, as well as across the lifespan. Alexandra holds a BA in Studio Arts and an M.Ed. in Arts in Education.