Offbeat Art Programs For Young People

Producing a film, drawing a cartoon, or mastering the flying trapeze are just a few of the extraordinary, artistic programs available for youngsters in the Orlando area. Traditional painting and drawing classes still, of course, have their place; but parents can now think “outside the box” when it comes to exploring or nurturing their child’s artistic enrichment. Whether one’s budding artist is interested in creating a movie, developing an animated character, or learning how to juggle, there’s a local after-school or weekend class available to match their youthful, adventurous spirit! Just imagine the endless possibilities of offbeat art programs like these masterpieces, and more…

Florida Film Academy

The Florida Film Academy (www.FLFilmAcademy.com), located in downtown Winter Garden, is all about the inventiveness of film making for kids. Five instructors, as well as other experts in the industry, teach children every aspect of producing their very own motion picture and newscasts. Classes may include stunts, movie makeup, special effects, stop motion, and other specialty courses, as well as the “nuts and bolts” of film making. Class sizes are small ─ capped at 10 students to one instructor. After-school courses, special workshops, one-on-one coaching, and programs for home-schoolers are all available for Steven Spielberg wannabes.

“Our programs appeal to a wide range of kids ─ everything from martial arts to writing to learning how to use cameras and computer editing,” explains Stefanie Esquijarosa, director of operations at Florida Film Academy. This fall’s schedule includes: “Make a Movie,’” “Filmmaking,” “Network (with the WGN News Crew),” “Editing,” “Stop Motion,” and “Creative Writing.” Plus, a “Fresh Focus Film Festival” is planned for November to showcase the talents of participating students. Regular classes, with equipment provided, are held Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, beginning at 5 pm and divided by age groups. Prices are $15 per session per student.

Linda C., mom to a Florida Film Academy student, says of her experience, “Thank you (FFA) for providing such a fun and supportive environment for my daughter, Rachel, to learn more about film-making. My take away was that this could be a career path for her and not just a hobby.”

Crealdé School of Art

Crealdé School of Art (www.crealde.org), located on several acres of campus in Winter Park, offers over 20 hands-on art classes per season for children of all ages. Well-equipped studios give kids a chance to experiment with different types of original media, such as story-telling through cartooning, cartoon sculpting (3D), ceramics, photography, and print making. More traditional courses, such as painting and drawing, are also offered, but always with a creative twist.

Robin Berrie, marketing manager at Crealdé School of Art, is especially enthused about a brand new offering this fall: a photography dark room workshop called “Freeze Frame,” where students will learn how to develop their own prints using non-toxic dark room chemicals.

“We aren’t doing arts and crafts, but we are teaching fine arts, technical things they can build on,” explains Ken Foster, associate faculty of the Crealdé Young Artist Program. “These are concepts the students can pick up on early and then build on as the intensity of the program increases each year.”

Art sessions are six-week courses with prices varying per class or group of classes. Memberships are available, as well as a need-based scholarship program.

Orlando Circus School

Picture it now: Your child flying through the air with the greatest of ease on the trapeze or wire-walking across the circus ring on a tightrope while the audience applauds! Fantasies like this can actually come true and it’s easier than one might think, thanks to the Orlando Circus School (www.orlandocircusschool.com). You can give your active child the thrill of the circus and a fun physical fitness workout at this unique academy. Located in the Hunters Creek area of Orlando, the Florida Circus School was founded in 2008 by Andrei and Irina Roubleu who, together, have 18 years of circus experience and 10 years performing with Cirque du Soleil.

Unicycling, juggling, wire-walking, trampoline, the flying trapeze, and many other circus-oriented classes are taught by a team of 10 talented coaches as private, semi-private, and group lessons. The Orlando Circus School offers young adventurists a safe and creative way to learn basic circus disciplines, as well as improve their physical development and self-confidence. Specialty classes can be requested and tailored to a child’s needs and wishes. Twice-a-year performance showcases highlight the students’ accomplishments.

Andrei is very proud of the company’s upcoming indoor flying trapeze class, which will be taught in a 3,500 square foot studio with 26-foot high ceilings. “In this class, La Nouba performers will be instructing students in the trapeze,” says Andrei. “Also, this fall, we are offering a new, free-style acrobatic class for children ages 5-12.”

Prices at the Orlando Circus School vary according to the number of sessions and type of class; plus an annual registration fee of $35 is required for all classes. So “step right up” ladies and gentlemen, and give your kids the chance to participate in what could be the thrill of a lifetime.