My daughter IS wild about art.  Wild about drawing in particular.  Give her a few minutes and a piece of scrap paper and she’ll quickly produce a rainbow, a smiling princess and a unicorn and be asking for more paper. So when the folks at KidzArt invited her to be a guest at last week’s Wild About Art class at the Tutoring Club of the Foothills, I was thrilled with the chance to get her involved and see for myself this great program I’d heard so much about.

She was part of the pre-school class (ages 4-6) which meets from 9-10:30 on Saturdays.    Miss Karla, the instructor, was warm and welcoming from the moment we walked in the door, and had the children down on the floor participating in a circle time about colors for the first 20 minutes of the class.  Then they moved to the table and began drawing their ice-cream sundaes, talking about lines, shapes and colors, and being encouraged to take their time…

I have to admit, this is where I get a little fuzzy on the exact process, because at about this time a couple of other moms and I decided to go get coffee. I felt completely secure that my daughter was in good hands, and happily engaged in her art, and a coffee break just sounded sooo appealing.  Besides, it gave me a little time to talk to two other moms, Kathy S. and Evita M., whose own 4-year-old daughters were also enrolled in the KidzArt class.  Kathy's daughter had attended the week before, and Kathy was so pleased that they returned, and encouraged Evita to enroll her daughter as well.  Amazingly, Kathy’s daughter, according to her mom, is NOT especially wild about art. “It's her least favorite things at school.  But this class [KidzArt] gave her a boost of confidence.  It gives her time to think about what she’s doing.  She drew a catfish last week and will show it to anyone and everyone.”  

When we returned from our coffee break, the children had finished and were sharing their masterpieces with one another, talking about their favorite things about their drawings.  Each ice cream sundae was unique and colorful and truly a wonderful piece of art.  My daughter and the other children were clearly proud of their work. And my daughter was quick to tell me it was work, “I concentrated for a long time on my picture,” she told me, when I asked if she'd had fun.  But when I asked her if she enjoyed it she said, “Oh yes, I love it!  I made such a beautiful picture of ice cream.”  

The picture is already framed and hanging in her ice-cream loving Papa's home (it made a perfect Father's Day gift for him).  And we've already registered for the next Wild About Art Class this Saturday!  

If you are interested in having your child try a KidzArt class or camp, here are some of the upcoming programs.  You can find additional information and register on the KidzArt Tucson website, or call 520-495-4952

Wild About Art Saturdays at the Tutoring Club of the Foothills (June 25-August 13, no class July 2).9:00-10:30  Ages 4-611:00-12:30 Ages 5-111:00-2:30 Ages 10-15Classes are $20 each or 20% off for 3.  

Think your child would love even more KidzArt?  Upcoming KidzArt camps include three camps at Crizmac Marketplace (1642 N. Alvernon) from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
 

July 5-7 -"Stars & Stripes: America the Beautiful-the reds, whites, blues and more of our great country." (Note this is a short week-$75).

July 18-21-Art Safari -Grab your jungle hats, we're going on safari!  Check out all kinds of cool creatures and the places they live!" ($95)

August 1-4-"Water, Water Everywhere-Learn about our Earth's most precious natural resource as we submerge ourselves in cool and creative art!" ($95)

Also note there is a camp from June 27-July 1st at Sycamore Elementary in Corona de Tucson (9 a.m.-12 p.m.) with spaces still available!