Art classes for children at Arts Collinwood

"We try to teach the principles of design and other visual elements," says Alexis Hedderson, who teaches Thursday afternoon  classes for elementary-school-age children at ArtsCollinwood. "The children do what they want to do." According to Hedderson, the program is  "choice-based"  and  "allows kids to be their own artist." The classes cover drawing, painting, collage, printmaking and working with clay. Miss Hedderson has an Early Childhood Education degree from Ursuline College and has taken art classes at Cleveland State University.

At the beginning of each class, she asks the children to "warm your hands."  The children follow this direction by  drawing pictures on large pieces of paper with crayons.

Each week a different topic is covered. Next week the topics will be texture and self-portraits. The children were asked to bring in something that shows texture.

The first classes began  in Feb. 2009 and ended in May 2009. A second series with another group of children started in Oct. 2009 and will end in May 2010. It is funded by grants secured by Arts Collinwood. The classes are free and open to children in grades 1 to 6. There are still openings for other students.

The program is thankful to ArtsCollinwood for offering children the chance to develop their creative sides. It runs from 3:30  to 5:30 p.m., Thursday afternoons. For further information, call Arts Collinwood at 216-692-9500.