FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 2, 2025
Media Contact: Gina Hyams, PR Consultant, 713-930-7554, ginahyams@gmail.com
Spencertown Academy Presents Family Arts Kaleidoscope Workshops
Spencertown, New York–Spencertown Academy Arts Center Family Arts Kaleidoscope program announces clowning, music, theater, and art workshops for toddlers and school-age children, along with their parents. Academy volunteers Carol Essert and Phyllis Diamond co-chair Family Arts Kaleidoscope. “We are excited to introduce our new offerings. We believe that families sharing these experiences together enhances childhood development and social skills, as well as brings the arts into family life. Best of all, it’s fun for everyone,” says Essert. “These are family friendly events. If the registration fee would be a burden and prevent your attendance, please let us know. We’ll be happy to work with you,” adds Diamond.
On Saturday, February 1 from 1:00pm to 4:00pm, professionally trained clowns Zoe Wohlfeld and Jack Grossman will lead “Celebrate Your Fun! A Clown Workshop” for people ages 8 to 108. Everyone is unique, and everyone is uniquely funny. In this workshop, participants will explore the art of performance, not as a character in a play, but as themselves through playful games and exercises in which they will begin to discover their own personal brand of fun. They will learn how to make an audience laugh like literally no one else can, and turn mistakes into joyous celebrations. Tuition is $10 for children ages 14 and under and $20 for adults. Immediately following the workshop, the instructors will perform a free family friendly duo clown show, which participants are invited to attend.
Grossman and Wohlfeld met while studying clown and theater at École Philippe Gaulier in Etampes, France. Their debut comedy show, “A Night of Drama,” enjoyed a sold out run at Edinburgh Fringe 2024 and went on a mini US tour to Brooklyn.
On four consecutive Saturdays, March 22 and 29 and April 5 and 12 from 10:00am to 10:45am, music teacher Deb Cavanaugh will lead “Sing, Dance, and Play with Miss Deb.” She calls children ages 18 months to 6 years, along with their adult companions, to come sing along, play instruments, and hear the story of Mr. Froggie and Miss Mousie. These classes will incorporate traditional instruments, American folk arts, and traditional folk songs. Tuition is $10 per child per class and participants are welcome to sign up for however many of the sessions they would like to attend.
Cavanaugh is an artist educator, singer songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. In her programs geared for the younger set, she mixes playfulness with professionalism. Over her more than 40 years of experience, she has developed an innate respect and appreciation for children of all ages.
On Saturday, May 17 from 10:00am to 12:30pm, Julie Griffin will offer “Fairytale Theater Workshop” for children ages 3 to 6 years olds, along with their adult companions. Using a storybook, the children will work together using their imaginations to recreate the story and bring it to life. Tuition is $15 for the first child and $10 for each additional child per family.
Griffin was a nursery school teacher and has taught theater and improvisation to people from ages 3 to 93 years old. Her goal is to let kids find their voices and explore their creative side in a positive space.
To round out the program, innovative art classes will be offered in the fall for school-age children and teens. Details to be announced.
To register for Family Arts Kaleidoscope workshops, see www.spencertownacademy.org.. Scholarships are available to those in need. To inquire about financial support, email info@spencetownacademy.org.
This program is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
Founded in 1972, Spencertown Academy Arts Center is a cultural center and community resource serving Columbia County, the Berkshires, and the Capital region. Housed in a landmark 1847 Greek Revival schoolhouse, the Academy is located at 790 State Route 203 in Spencertown, New York. For more information, please contact info@spencertownacademy.org.