ARTEnriches, an out-of-school youth art component of the Pimlico Road Youth Program, is spelled with a European flourish because it?s classically taught.
“The ?ARTE? is trying to state that we?re [modeling the program] on the long history of art instruction,” said course developer and instructor Deborah Patterson, a local artist and Open Society Institute fellow who blends art instruction with spelling, vocabulary and grammar work. Patterson?s drawing, painting and art history work is part of Pimlico Road?s after-school and summer session programs for downtown youth.
The six-week summer session, which started Monday, also includes a computer lab, swimming and golf lessons, and field trips every Wednesday. It can handle up to 60 children ages 5-13 and costs $200.
“Our mission is to implement educational and recreational arts and cultural programs for use in the Pimlico Road area,” said Lorella Dicks Jackson, the program?s executive director. “It keeps the youth in the area hopefully out of trouble, and it helps them with their academics.”
The after-school program, September through June, covers homework help, children?s literature, and other reading and socialization exercises, as well as dance instruction and the art and clay modeling work. It served 45 elementary and middle school youth this year, and is free.
“I?m very pleased with them,” said Yvette Hull, mother of Miles Izzard, 10, a program participant. “The staff is very professional, and they have a lot of patience with my son.”
Noting that the area?s crime rate is among the highest in the city, Jackson said she hopes that the nonprofit?s pending mentoring and music appreciation efforts ? complete with a small recording studio ? will productively channel local teens? energies.
“I think it?s a wonderful program,” said Sonya Moss, 10.
“I just realized how many talents my granddaughter has as a result of that program,” said Mary Jefferson, Sonya?s grandmother. “She?s been an honor roll student ever since she?s been in that program.”
Started two years ago by the Holy Nativity-St. John?s Corporation, the nonprofit has a yearly budget of $200,000 and a staff of four full-time employees, plus volunteers. It relies on foundation grants, contributions and some state aid.
“It?s absolutely proven that art makes for a broader person,” Patterson said “Do people put math instruction on their refrigerators? Art is displayed, and it?s so empowering.”
