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SMARTS Summer 2023 Classes
We are excited to announce that SMARTS will offer two SMARTOASIS Summer Workshops. One for students K-12 and one for Early SMARTS our young creatives (18 months - 5 yrs.). An Oasis is a place that provides refreshing relief. SMARTSOASIS is just that: an opportunity to be restored, refreshed, and reconnected to your ART. If you need a summer getaway, or an opportunity to laugh and smile, create in solitude with us in our summer workshops! We have a unique range of workshops to keep you fulfilled and engaged.
Theses workshops encompass a total of 19, specialized workshops and 5 surprise all group workshops. Spaces for 222 students, workshops will be in person and one online via Zoom through Virtual SMARTS. Workshops are free and open to the public.
Enrollment for these classes will open online, Wednesday, May 24 @ 1 pm on a first-come, first-served basis. Workshops will run one week at a time for a total of three weeks, beginning Tuesday, June 6. Early SMARTS week starts July 11.
Why Virtual SMARTS?
SMARTS has been growing and expanding our expertise by learning best practices and effective teaching strategies for virtual learning. We have found that online classes are often discussed in ways that underestimate their potential. However, we have been amazed, inspired, empowered, and at times...challenged...on what our notions of what virtual learning could be. While we believe in-person arts teaching and learning is always better, we have found that all arts disciplines and all types of students - even students with special needs - can learn and demonstrate remarkable creativity in an online class. In some ways, there are even advantages.
Virtual SMARTS classes are unlike virtual classes for school, just as all SMARTS classes are...because you pick the art you want to study and you learn directly from an artist who specializes in that art! SMARTS aims to set a new standard for learning in a traditional classroom setting by focusing on creating the next generation of artists and creative innovators. We now also aim to set a new standard for the effectiveness and wonder of learning in a virtual setting. We are excited for you to discover and create with us this year!
All SMARTS and Virtual SMARTS classes are free, open to the public, and offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
SMARTS Steel pans to Steel Band, Grades 4-12
SMARTS Steel pans to Steel Band, Grades 4-12| Nick Frank Week #1| June 6, 7, 8, 9 Originating in Trinidad and Tobago, the steel pan was born from musicians playing instruments such as bamboo pieces, biscuit tins, dustbins, and oil drums. Beating the oil drum led to dents in the metal, and the players…
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SMARTS String Exploration 1, Grades 3-12
SMARTS String Exploration 1, Grades 3-12| Silvia Games Dubos Week #1|June 6, 7, 8, 9 This is a workshop to strengthen foundation, techniques and skill. Students will learn how to musically listen and play the violin. We will also introduce the cello and learn basic technique and posture. We will play strength building games,…
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SMARTS Creating Worlds, Grades 4-7
SMARTS Creating Worlds, Grades 4-7 |Robert Kerr Week #1|June 6, 7, 8, 9 If you are interested in comic books, superheroes, manga, creating storyboards, landscapes, or just want to show a character at an interesting angle, this is the class you need. It can be quite challenging to create a character, show the character…
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Virtual SMARTS: Re-imagined Finales, Grades 4-12
Virtual SMARTS: Reimagined Finales, Grades 4-12| Jim Hain Week #1| June 6, 7, 8, 9 | 10:00-11:30am |*This workshop will occur virtually * Endings are powerful! They can draw your readers in and leave them wanting more. They can cause your reader to see an entirely different aspect of a character, or their role…
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Peace, Love, and SMARTS, Grades 4-7
Peace, Love, and SMARTS, Grades 4-7| Levensky Smith Week # 2| June 13, 14, 15, 16 Soul Train first aired in 1970 on Chicago station WCIU and quickly became one of the most iconic dance shows in television history. It was the brain child of the shows’ emcee, Don Cornelius. This class is a tribute…
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SMARTS “Just a Piano & a Song,” Grades 3-7
SMARTS “Just a Piano & a Song,” Grades 3-7 | Chloe Downey Week # 2| June 13, 14, 15, 16 Artist like Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, and John Legend can play the piano while belting out an amazing tune. You can learn this skill, too! This is an opportunity to do just…
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SMARTS Style Your Kicks, Grades 6-12
SMARTS Style Your Kicks, Grades 6-12 | Ally Christopher Week # 2| June 13, 14, 15, 16 Customize your own kicks! Create a theme for your canvas shoes & think through all the details and visuals. Then paint, sharpie, or bedazzle them! You can draw a portrait of your favorite artist, use calligraphy to…
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SMARTS “Boom Chakalaka,” Grades 2-5
SMARTS “Boom Chakalaka,” Grades 2-5| James Harris Week # 2| June 13, 14, 15, 16 Do you love to create music? Think you can play a plastic tube? Boom whackers are just that: tuned plastic tubes (and a great introductory percussion instrument). If you are curious about music or love drumming or tapping, this might…
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SMARTS Theater: Clowning Around, Grades 4-7
SMARTS Theater: Clowning Around, Grades 4-7| Jeremiah Kibler Week # 2| June 13, 14, 15, 16 Learn the art of slapstick comedy and pantomime in this physical trick class. Learn how to juggle and use facial expressions and body movements to generate laughter. Learn the insider clown secrets and techniques, experiment with creating magic…
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SMARTS Old School vs New School Dance Battle, Family & K-12
SMARTS Old School vs New School Dance Battle, Family & K-12| Levensky Smith & Sydney Moore Week # 3| June 20, 21, 22, 23 *Limit 2 Family Members per Household* Dance Crazes are inspired by all different eras and cultures. Sometimes a dance will be known by multiple generations, but with every generation there…
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About Us
SMARTS, Students Motivated by the Arts, is a 501(c)3 non-profit community art school.
Address: 25 East Boardman Street, First Floor, Youngstown, Ohio 44503
Phone: 330-574-2787
Email: info@smartsartschool.org
Our Classes
SMARTS classes have been free and open to the public since 1997. To become a SMARTS student and receive regular communication about our class offerings, complete a new student application. Classes are filled on a first-come, first serve basis.