Our Inspiration Lab program has had to change for this year due to COVID-19. We are offering afternoon enrichment classes for children from Kindergarten-7th grade both in person and on-line. During this challenging time for all of us-we are offering innovative classes to help your child be safe AND socialize, extend a skill, or try a new medium to help them both cope and grow.
This year our program will be offering outdoor classrooms as well as indoor movement classes for a maximum of 8 students at a time in a well ventilated movement studio that usually accommodates 30 children. This year, each child must sign up for the classes he/she would like to take for the semester and those are the classes that they attend. We will not be providing a pickup service from buses or schools this year but once with us, we will transfer a child from one class to another if they are registered for two back to back classes in the afternoon.
Classes are for children ages 5-12 unless otherwise indicated.
COVID – 19 Policy Overview
Building and Craft Design
Tuesdays 4:30 – 5:30 pm / Wednesdays 4:30 – 5:30 pm $250
During this course students, will learn to use different materials to build and design 3D sculptures and craft designs. Students will use materials such as glue, popsicle sticks,
paper, cardboard, wire etc and create their ideas. Students will learn critical and creative problem solving while at the same time learning the fundamentals of building sculptures and craft making.
Clay Class
Fridays 3:30 – 4:30pm $250
During this course students will learn and explore the use of clay. Students will learn how to create different shapes and forms to create their ideas. Students will learn basic techniques and the proper use of clay. Students will create sculptures and learn about where clay comes from and what it can be used for. They will practice hand-building and will also design and paint their finished clay works.
Painting Class
Tuesdays 3:30 – 4:30 $250
For this class students will explore the fundamentals of painting using acrylic and tempera paint. Students will learn about different artists and styles of painting using line, shape, form, color and texture and create their own works of art. Students will earn about color theory and how to mix paints to create their visions. We will not only work inside the classroom but will also be outside painting from nature which will allow students to be closer to the world around them.
Still Life Drawing Class
Thursdays 4:30 – 5:30pm $250
In this class, students will be introduced to the elements of art: line, shape, form, color, and texture to create their still life drawings. This is the building block that will provide a solid foundation for your child’s drawing skills. Children will explore techniques on how to draw what they see using an assorted mix of drawing materials such as colored pencils, crayons, markers, etc. Students will not only use objects to draw from inside the classroom but also explore objects from nature to create wonderful works of art.
Watercolor Class/Mixed Media
Wednesdays 3:30 – 4:30 $250
During this class students will be taught the elements of art: line, shape, form, color, and texture using watercolors and an array of mixed media. We will explore
different techniques on how to not only use watercolor but also combining other materials to create works of art. Children will use watercolors, collage, paper, tissue paper, ink, glitter, etc to explore and learn how to use each material to create their masterpieces.
Capoeira (ages 6-12) – Samir Mahmoud
Tuesdays 5:00 – 6:00pm $250
Capoeira (pronounced cap o ee ra) — is a game, a dance, and a martial art! It’s a way of expressing oneself through movement and music. Capoeira is a Brazilian game that is played with music and singing. It combines martial art techniques (non-contact) with acrobatic movements and is played to the rhythm of capoeira music played by capoeira instruments and songs sang by other participants.
This hour-long movement class is for kids ages 6-12 – where kids learn to move their bodies, challenge themselves in a safe way and play. The class includes a warmup and stretching and the basic movements of capoeira. Children’s classes also include lessons on the music and history of the art. The class focuses on body awareness, coordination, and music.
Samir Mahmoud is a long-time martial artist who has practiced capoeira for over 14 years and taught kids from 3 to 16 years old. He is a life-long athlete and competed in Division I athletics. Outside of capoeira, he is a professional at an international humanitarian organization. He is also a father of twin boys and lives in Sunnyside.
Movement Play Lab (ages 8-12) – Ali Fischer, RSME
Tuesdays 4:00-5:00pm / Thursdays 3:30 – 4:30pm $250
The world lives through us, not to us.
This class explores play through movement exercises and cultivating self expression. We will learn ways to build emotional and social confidence through letting our bodies do the talking, walking, jumping, drawing, singing, writing, and playing while learning how to empathetically listen to each other and ourselves.
Ali is a Registered Somatic Movement Educator who is extensively experienced and devoted to the development of movement creativity and having fun!
Sword Fighting (ages 10+) – Gabriel Rosario
Thursdays 4:00 – 5:00pm $300
Learn the exciting skill of sword fighting as practiced by Hollywood swashbucklers and stunt performers!
Fight choreographer and stunt performer Gabriel Rosario from Swordplay will teach an 8 week course in the techniques of sword fighting including footwork and blade work. Students will learn safe performance technique, and will learn to perform a choreographed sequence, and have fun!! A replica foam training sword will be provided for use in class.
Music Class – Chris Garriga $250
Monday Sessions 4:30 – 5:30 pm
Friday Sessions 4:30 – 5:30 pm
The instructor will lead students in understanding rhythmic theory. Rhythm is the way that music is systematically divided into beats that repeat a specific number of times within a bar at a collectively understood speed or tempo. Rhythm is one of the fundamental aspects of music theory. To create great harmonies and melodies, you need to understand how rhythm works and how it is used in your tracks. Students will also learn song assembly through hands, drumsticks, drums, and other percussive instruments.
Art Studio Class – Charisse Antonopoulos
Ages 5-7 Wednesdays 3:00 – 4:00pm / Ages 8-12 Thursdays 3:00 – 4:00pm $200
Art Studio Class Schedule
SEPTEMBER
AGES 5-7
Drawing & Collaging Animals
Young artists experiment with an assortment of paper and other textured materials to create projects inspired by animals. In addition to the cut and paste skills, students will draw basic shapes to render adorable mammals, reptiles, and fish. Each session is enriched by a short story as children build language, fine tune motor skills, and illustrate their own stories.
Materials: 9 x 12” white drawing paper (80 lb.) or Canson Mixed Media sketchbook, assorted color construction paper, scraps of decorated paper and newspaper, cardboard, white glue, glue brush, glue sticks, scissors, pencil, oil pastels or crayons, and colored pencils
AGES 8-10
Manga Illustration
Manga, a Japanese-style of cartooning, is known for their lively characters with exaggerated emotions. In this class students will develop skills in drawing Manga figures highlighting areas such as facial expressions, hands, and poses. Attention will be given to the exploration of line, shading, proportion, and perspective. There will be opportunities to personalize work and share ideas.
Recommended materials: 9 x 12” Canson Marker pad or 9 x 12” white drawing paper (80 lb.), pencil (mechanical), Sakura black .5 micron pen or Ultra Fine Tip Sharpie, and light colored markers (please get skin tones).
OCTOBER
AGES 5-7
Color theory: Les Fauves or French for “Wild Beasts”
Yum. . . color and more color using tempera paints. Study the bright work from some of the stars of art history, such as painters, Henri Matisse, Alice Bailly, Raoul Dufy, and Andre Dérain. Then, after experimenting with the fundamental concepts of color theory, children produce a series of expressionistic paintings mixing and overlapping colors. Works will emphasize painterly qualities, strong color, and a creative use of personal feelings and ideas.
Materials: 9 x 12” white drawing paper (80 lb.) or Canson Mixed Media Pad, liquid tempera paint (magenta, yellow, blue, green, white), round nylon paint brushes (No 4 and/or 6), flat nylon paint brushes (No. 10 or 12), painting palette tray (enough area/cupped holes to mix colors, pencil, black oil pastel or black charcoal), water containers.
AGES 8-12
Color theory: Les Fauves or French for “Wild Beasts”
Yum. . . color and more color using tempera paints. Study the bright work from some of the stars of art history, such as painters, Henri Matisse, Alice Bailly, Raoul Dufy, and Andre Dérain. Then, after experimenting with the fundamental concepts of color theory, children produce a series of expressionistic paintings mixing and overlapping colors. Works will emphasize painterly qualities, strong color, and a creative use of personal feelings and ideas.
Materials: 9 x 12” white drawing paper (80 lb.) or Canson Mixed Media Pad, liquid tempera paint (magenta, yellow, blue, green, white), round nylon paint brushes (No 4 and/or 6), flat nylon paint brushes (No. 10 or 12), painting palette tray (enough area/cupped holes to mix colors, pencil, black oil pastel or black charcoal pencil), water containers.
NOVEMBER
AGES 5-7
KAWAII MIXED MEDIA
Why is Kawaii so special? Kawaii, Japanese for cute, points to playfulness and warmth. Kawaii may be found on everything from paper cups to household kittens. We are interested in you sharing your story in the age of Covid-19 and our country’s quest for social justice through the Kawaii lens. Each class we will enhance our experience together by combining various materials and creating mixed media projects.
Materials: 9 x 12″ Bristol paper or 9 x 12” white drawing paper (80 lb.), pencils, water-based pastel or bright markers (include a flesh tone marker or colored pencil), black Fine Tip and Ultra Fine Tip Sharpie markers or black felt-tip pen, watercolor paints, 9 x 12″ colored construction paper, a glue stick, and scissors
AGES 8-10
KAWAII MIXED MEDIA
Why is Kawaii so special? Kawaii, Japanese for cute, points to playfulness and warmth. Kawaii may be found on everything from paper cups to household kittens. But did you ever hear of Kawaii Ugly or Creepy Kawaii? Yes, we will, also, explore the dark side of Kawaii. We are interested in you sharing your story in the age of Covid-19 and our country’s quest for social justice through the Kawaii lens. Each class we will enhance our experience together by combining various materials and creating mixed media projects.
Materials: 9 x 12″ Bristol paper or 9 x 12” white drawing paper (80 lb.), pencils, water-based pastel or bright markers (include a flesh tone marker or colored pencil), black Fine Tip and Ultra Fine Tip Sharpie markers or black felt-tip pen, watercolor paints, 9 x 12″ colored construction paper, a glue stick, and scissors
DECEMBER
AGES 5-7
Pop-Up Paper Sculptures
Learn to engineer simple paper structures. Projects focus on 3D paper sculpture techniques and paper figures. Investigate positive and negative space that unfolds with the created forms. In addition, young artists will personalize and enrich details of each project using dry drawing materials and self-expression.
Materials: 9 x 12” colored construction paper, 9 x 12” Bristol paper, glue sticks, scissors, pencil, glue stick, Ultra Fine Tip Sharpie markers or black felt-tip pen, colored markers, and colored pencils or oil pastels.
AGES 8-12
Pop-Up Paper Sculptures
Learn to engineer simple and complex paper structures. Projects focus on 3D paper sculpture techniques and paper figures. Investigate positive and negative space that unfolds with the created forms. In addition, young artists will personalize and enrich details of each project using dry drawing materials and self-expression.
Materials: 9 x 12” colored construction paper, 9 x 12” Bristol paper, glue sticks, scissors, pencil, glue stick, Ultra Fine Tip Sharpie markers or black felt-tip pen, colored markers, and colored pencils or oil pastels.
AGES 11 +
Private Lessons and Semi-Private Lessons
Private Lessons can be scheduled Wed from 5:30 – 6:30 pm or Friday from 3:30 – 4:30 pm. Lessons are $75/hour for private and $60/hour for semi – private. (max 2 students, ages 11+)
Private Lessons include one student that has an unique opportunity to create his/ her own study and practice. They choose what medium, materials, and subject matter to focus on. The young artist works one-on-one with the mentor to develop goals and projects. The student can choose a medium such as; painting, drawing, hand lettering, or paper sculpture. Subject matter might be something like; Manga characters, animals, watercolor nature paintings, or fashion illustration. Semi-Private Lessons are described like Private Lessons, but their are 2 students in the class.
Illustration & Writing – Michelle Chen
(Ages 5-7) Thursdays 3:30-4:30pm / (Ages 8-12) Thursdays 4:30-5:30pm $200
Illustration & Writing is a course focused on the integration of text and illustrations. Students will learn fundamental drawing techniques and simple poetic devices as well as their applications together in a visual product.
Materials: Sketchpad, Pencil, and Eraser
Tech: Stable WiFi connection, Tablet (with a drawing function preferred), Phone or tablet camera
Graphic Design (ages 8+) – Michelle Chen
Fridays 4:30 – 5:30pm $200
Graphic Design is a course focused on basic design principles and its application. Students will learn about typefaces, basic color theory, composition, and iconography. Through these techniques, students will craft engaging messages in a visually cohesive design.
Materials: Sketchpad, Pencil, and Eraser
Tech: Stable Wifi connection, Tablet, Phone or tablet camera
Music Class – Chris Garriga
Mondays 3:30 – 4:30 pm $220
Wednesdays (ages 5-7) 3:30 – 4:30pm / (ages 8-12) 4:30 – 5:30pm $220
Fridays 3:30 – 4:30 pm $240
The instructor will lead students in understanding rhythmic theory. Rhythm is the way that music is systematically divided into beats that repeat a specific number of times within a bar at a collectively understood speed or tempo. Rhythm is one of the fundamental aspects of music theory. To create great harmonies and melodies, you need to understand how rhythm works and how it is used in your tracks. Students will also learn song assembly through hands, drumsticks, drums, and other percussive instruments.
