Oswego State is gearing up for its fourth session of the ‘At the Art Studio’ workshop series. The workshop’s goal is to help children in the community discover an outlet for their creativity outside of school.

There are four classes offered; each one is broken down by age group.

Classes include a 2-D and 3-D materials and methods class for first through third graders.

Students in fourth through sixth grade will create 3-D models of different characters.

Bookbinding and printmaking with repurposed objects and upcycling materials is the main objective for seventh through ninth graders.

“They either start categorizing themselves as artists or non-artists, and so we want to promote [from adolescence] that everyone can be an artist,” said Seeley Cardone, the workshop’s program coordinator. “Everyone has this chance to be creative.”

This is the first time high school students will have a chance to take an art course, concentrating in digital media and graphic design.  

Cardone said that along with exposing them to the arts, it’s a great way to get young students interested in college with Oswego State as a possibility.

Oswego State students also have an opportunity within the workshop to become teaching assistants and even teachers depending on their qualifications.

Although positions are filled up for the workshop, students also have opportunities in the winter and spring, Cardone said.

“I’m always looking for students who don’t just need a job, but have an interest in children, in art education.” Cardone said.

Cardone said the idea to create the workshop came from parents who wanted a place for their children to go during the school year, since the community art classes are only offered during the summer.

“That’s the main goal of this program,” said Elizabeth Hunt, the middle school level teacher and former coordinator. “We want to give back. We want to offer some place for these kids to go.”

The workshop was also created as an outlet of creativity that couldn’t be found within the schools, Hunt said.

“Today a lot of schools are cutting art programs,” said Sharon Souva, Cardone’s assistant.

Cardone used the example of the print making machines in the basement of Hewitt, to show the opportunities granted to the students.

“Most schools don’t have that kind of equipment, we do,” Cardone said.

Last year, the workshops had 79 participants.

Funding for the workshop came from a grant through the Richard S. Shineman Foundation, a private foundation that offers money to nonprofit organizations and educational programs. The grant was written by Hunt along and Cynthia Clabough, the program director.

Hunt said the grant is renewed yearly.

Classes will run from Oct. 6 to Nov. 12 on Saturdays from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. in Tyler Hall and Hewitt. The fee is $59 per child, and income-based scholarships are available.