Art “Blooms” at the OCYC After School Program
OXFORD – The Oxford Community Youth Center (OCYC) and After School Program (ASP) gave Oxford Middle School students a chance to be creative under the guidance of the well-known, children’s book author and illustrator, Suzanne Bloom. The results of their sessions were on display at a multi-media art reception held on Nov. 16, in Kim Begeal’s, The Blue Lamp, a creative space and gallery in Oxford.
Suzanne Bloom, who just released her latest book, Feeding Friendsies (published by Boyds Mills Press) loves to write stories, however, she says, “…drawing the pictures is like dessert.” The OCYC kids got to spend five sessions with Suzanne who shared her love of creating art with them by encouraging their self-expression and exposing them to new artistic techniques using tempera paint and other art supplies which included lots of glitter!
The five art sessions involved first- painting irregular shapes on a grid, a lesson in pattern making; second- creating name tags of any size or shape filling them with color, making a personal statement; third- they made (blank) journals, the craft of bookmaking; fourth- creating an image on one-side of a paper and writing on the reverse; and fifth- they created folded paper monoprint images, that look something like Rorschach inkblots. These fun classes allowed the Oxford youth -of all artistic abilities- to explore their creative sides, under no pressure, and gave them lots of freedom to express themselves. The art show at The Blue Lamp was a very festive event with refreshments, parents and the “artists.”
This special fall art program with Suzanne Bloom was made possible with a generous $5000 grant of funds through the Norwich High School Youth Philanthropy Council. The Council of students, with the help of Elizabeth Monaco of the Chenango United Way and co-advisor Sue Fertig, chose to support the OCYC because of their educational and recreational youth programs. Another session with Suzanne is planned for the spring, as well as a self-defense course with Sensei John Pezzino next Fall and Spring at the Greene Dragon Marshall Arts in Greene.
The OCYC regularly runs with the funding of only a $30 annual registration fee per family. It’s able to offer supervised, age appropriate programs in a safe environment for fifth through eighth grade students and their guests. They have field trips, concerts, family events, competitive games, and tournaments. The After School program is held Monday through Friday, on days when school is in session for the full day, from 2:25 to 5:15 p.m. They have homework sessions, offer snacks, and then are followed by hands-on programs that encourage life skills and responsibility. Every Friday night, registered kids can come and hang-out in the Middle School gym, use the pool table and play foosball. They also enjoy pizza parties, workshops and have three theme dances a year with music by area DJs. On the last Friday of every month, there are movies in the Middle School Auditorium.
The Oxford Community Youth Center, “A great place to grow!” Supporting partners are the Chenango United Way, Price Chopper, Walmart, Village of Oxford, Town of Oxford, American Legion Post 376, Oxford Academy Middle School, CC Cornell Cooperative Ext. & the 4-H Youth Program. For OCYC inquiries contact BJ Ross/ ASP Director, at bjross@oxac.org ; 244-7016. Scholarships are available.
Suzanne Bloom, who just released her latest book, Feeding Friendsies (published by Boyds Mills Press) loves to write stories, however, she says, “…drawing the pictures is like dessert.” The OCYC kids got to spend five sessions with Suzanne who shared her love of creating art with them by encouraging their self-expression and exposing them to new artistic techniques using tempera paint and other art supplies which included lots of glitter!
The five art sessions involved first- painting irregular shapes on a grid, a lesson in pattern making; second- creating name tags of any size or shape filling them with color, making a personal statement; third- they made (blank) journals, the craft of bookmaking; fourth- creating an image on one-side of a paper and writing on the reverse; and fifth- they created folded paper monoprint images, that look something like Rorschach inkblots. These fun classes allowed the Oxford youth -of all artistic abilities- to explore their creative sides, under no pressure, and gave them lots of freedom to express themselves. The art show at The Blue Lamp was a very festive event with refreshments, parents and the “artists.”
This special fall art program with Suzanne Bloom was made possible with a generous $5000 grant of funds through the Norwich High School Youth Philanthropy Council. The Council of students, with the help of Elizabeth Monaco of the Chenango United Way and co-advisor Sue Fertig, chose to support the OCYC because of their educational and recreational youth programs. Another session with Suzanne is planned for the spring, as well as a self-defense course with Sensei John Pezzino next Fall and Spring at the Greene Dragon Marshall Arts in Greene.
The OCYC regularly runs with the funding of only a $30 annual registration fee per family. It’s able to offer supervised, age appropriate programs in a safe environment for fifth through eighth grade students and their guests. They have field trips, concerts, family events, competitive games, and tournaments. The After School program is held Monday through Friday, on days when school is in session for the full day, from 2:25 to 5:15 p.m. They have homework sessions, offer snacks, and then are followed by hands-on programs that encourage life skills and responsibility. Every Friday night, registered kids can come and hang-out in the Middle School gym, use the pool table and play foosball. They also enjoy pizza parties, workshops and have three theme dances a year with music by area DJs. On the last Friday of every month, there are movies in the Middle School Auditorium.
The Oxford Community Youth Center, “A great place to grow!” Supporting partners are the Chenango United Way, Price Chopper, Walmart, Village of Oxford, Town of Oxford, American Legion Post 376, Oxford Academy Middle School, CC Cornell Cooperative Ext. & the 4-H Youth Program. For OCYC inquiries contact BJ Ross/ ASP Director, at bjross@oxac.org ; 244-7016. Scholarships are available.
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