ART OPENS DOORS

ART OPENS DOORS

In 2006 Kirkland Art Center’s Art Opens Doors has provided quality arts education for a 120 young people and family members served by Hopelink’s Kirkland Service Center. The combination of family workshops and youth-only art classes helps students develop their art skills in the company of their peers and also provides a place for parents and children to work together in a creative supportive environment.

Hopelink families are low-income or homeless and often unable to access scholarship programs that provide funds for supplies or transportation to visual art education classes. In response to this glaring gap, KAC, Hopelink, and KTUB created a partnership that challenges, delights, and excites children and parents by offering high-quality arts education through the program, Art Opens Doors.

The program has included two 6-week art classes (ages 8-12), two one-week summer art camps (ages 6-14), and four family art workshops (6 and up with a parent). The 6-week art classes and summer camps each explore different media and techniques, allowing both beginners and returning students to develop their skills and engage with art.

Since its inception in 2005, the program has become a resounding success, with parents asking to register far in advance because of the popularity of the classes. When asked about how she learned about the camp, one student responded: “A slip and a wish brought me here.”

Parklane Gallery Benefit for ART OPENS DOORS
December 1 – December 31, 2006
Parklane Gallery Hours: 11am-6pm daily
Kirkland Art Walk: Thursday, December 14, 6-9pm