The Agnes Etherington Art Gallery’s latest program will let local teens explore their artistic sides with the guidance of professional artists.
ArtZone, a program for Kingston teens between the ages of 14 to 18, starts this month. It will run at the gallery every Thursday from Sept. 24 to Nov. 26 between 3 to 5 p.m.
The after-school drop-in program provides opportunities for teens to meet with local Kingston artists and explore a variety of mediums, including paint, sculpture and mixed media during weekly workshops. No registration is required, and teens can simply drop in for individual sessions.
“The program aims to be as broad as possible, so that way the [students] can experiment within themselves,” said Stéfy McKnight, public programs assistant for the Agnes, said.
The program also aims to connect local youth with Kingston artists who can provide information and guidance, she said.
Kingston artist Ben Darrah will lead the course for the first five weeks. Each week features a different artistic theme, which McKnight said encourages creativity while still providing guidance.
“Ben knows a lot about a lot of different mediums. He’s very flexible,” McKnight said. “It’s going to be a safe space for creative thought to be explored.”
ArtZone is a pilot program made possible by the Community Foundation for Kingston and Area (CFKA). According to the gallery’s website, CFKA, a charitable organization that provides funds for community improvement, awarded the Agnes with a grant of $3,489.
The grant was awarded from the Edward Ratcliffe Fund and the Marla and Gregg Rosen Fund.
The Agnes also holds workshops for kids and adults, and accepts Queen’s students as volunteers at the gallery.
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