Warren Nonprofit Offering Free Youth Art Classes

WARREN, RI — A Warren nonprofit will hold free youth art classes this spring.

The Collaborative will hold the classes the week of April 10 to 14 at its two locations at 498 Main St. and 4 Market St.

Now in its sixth year, the Warren Art Academy is a series of free art classes and a showcase for youth in the East Bay and greater Rhode Island. Students are immersed in learning the basics of various art forms taught by a certified art education professional or a practicing professional. This year’s academy will feature classes in comics, print-making and digital storytelling.

"I'm looking forward to teaching Let's Make Comics again this year! Comics are a fun and natural story-telling medium,"MJ Robinson, one of the academy's teachers said. "Plus, you don't have to be 'good at drawing' to draw great comics. To me, being an arts educator means helping people become more confident and curious explorers. There are infinite textures of amazingness to find within ourselves, within our worlds, and in the fictional spaces we create."

Over the years, the art academy has served hundreds of youth, teaching not only art skills but also working to develop an appreciation of the arts.

"The Academy is one of our favorite programs," Collaborative Executive Director Uriah Donnelly, said. "It’s about bringing young artists together to be creative and collaborate. That’s at the core of what we’re all about.."

The Art Academy is made possible by grants from The White Family Foundation, RISCA, The Bristol Female Charitable Society Fund, and a Legislative grant from Senator Walter Felag.

These classes are free, but there is a small deposit in order to reserve a space. The deposit will be refunded once a student completes the full week of classes.

"We've had scenarios in the past, before we started taking deposits, where folks would sign up but not show up, taking a spot away from other kids," Donnelly said. "If the $50 deposit is the only thing preventing you from signing up, please reach out to us. We’d never want it to be a barrier to anyone from participating in this program."