Kids West African Cultural Arts Program-Fall 2011

Experience the wealth and beauty of West African culture and feel the transformative power of working together to build community through the arts!

Attention parents: Are you looking for something artistic, culturally enriching, educational and fun for your kids to do this summer? Well look no further, the West African Cultural Arts Institute invites kids ages 6-12 and 13-18 to join them for a week of visual and performing arts that focuses on the Cultural Arts from Guinea, West Africa.

Click here for registration form!

Click here for instructor endorsements!

Click here for artist biographies!

Session # 1-Ages 13-18:
Fridays, Sept 16, 23, *30 & *Oct 7, 14
3:30-5:30 pm

Session # 2-Ages 6-12:
Saturdays, Sept 17, 24 & Oct 1, 8, 15
1:00-3:00 pm

WOW Hall
291 W. 8th Ave
*Fri Sept 30 & Oct 7 @ Up Start Crow Studios, 855 W. 1st Ave (Monroe & Adams)

$50 per student for 10 hours of performance & visual arts instruction
For more information: email: westafricanculturalarts@gmail.com

Benefits:
•    Learn values of team work
•    Gain attentive listening and open communication skills
•    Gain sensitivity of all cultures and expanded world views
•    Improve self-discipline and self-mastery, artistic and technical growth
•    Achieve physical and emotional health
•    Meet new friends
•    Experience something new and exciting
•    Have fun

Kids will be invigorated by learning poly-rhythmic drumming, traditional and contemporary group dancing, call and response singing and other percussion music like shakers, rhythm sticks and clapping and inspired by learning print making, ceramic hand building and mask making techniques to create projects to take home with them at the end of the session.

Each class will begin with an interactive and hands on cultural lesson complete with actual objects from West Africa as well as photos, instruments, fabric and traditional garb. These lessons will touch upon West African history, geography and culture which reinforce the themes that will be focused upon throughout the day.

The week culminates with a performance event for the community that gives students an opportunity to exhibit their artwork and share what they’ve learned throughout the week with their parents, friends and community at large.

This project made possible in part by a grant by Lane Arts Council
with support from the City of Eugene Cultural Services Division.