Harbor Creative Arts is dedicated to providing an inspiring space, nurturing families, and cultivating a community. Classes introduce students to a variety of materials and techniques while encouraging individual exploration and outcomes. Most projects are very layered literally and figuratively, mixed-media based, and incorporate connections to artists, periods, social issues, and enhance social emotional skills. Students of all abilities and learning styles are welcome.
Harbor Creative Arts provides (primarily but not limited to) visual arts programming for toddlers through tweens. Weekly classes explore a theme of the week, ranging from “pop art” to “penguins” to “portraits”. Siblings of different ages love to compare projects with what their older/younger family members create that week exploring the same theme. Three main types of programs have been established: weekly Little Artists classes for ages 2-5, weekly Afterschool Art Classes for grades K-8, and themed workshops and camps that are held on weekends, for holiday celebrations, and during school vacations. Other programs occur sporadically as scheduling continues to progress, such as free/donation-based “smART storytime” events featuring a read aloud and creative activity while highlighting a social emotional concept and local non-profit for the donation, and “Little Musicians”, a toddler music class taught by an experienced local musician and children’s performer. Harbor Creative Arts is special because collaborative, open-ended activities that encourage problem solving and empathy for others are incorporated into every arts class or program session. The goal is for these creative learning experiences to inspire students to apply these skills and interests beyond the studio.
Harbor Creative Arts programs:
Encourage students to observe and interpret the world critically.
Expose students to artists of all colors and nationalities.
Include a variety of materials and techniques.
Encourage personal choice and voice.
Encourage empathy, collaboration, and confidence.
Involve critical thinking, creative problem solving, and reflection.
Currently, all art class curriculums are designed + taught or co-taught by Rachel Armentano.
The Harbor Creative Arts blog and social media feeds provide ideas, tips + confidence for how to integrate art into your, your family's, or your students' lives whether you are an avid artist, art viewer, or just open to the idea of having more art in your life.
Stay tuned for more lesson plans for art classes and any classroom, team building activities, open-ended art prompts, tips and suggestions on art supplies for young and old, and places to go experience art.
The studio continuously supports and advocates for not only other arts and education organizations, but also local initiatives promoting diversity, equity, and social service assistance.
Harbor Creative Arts is a proud supporter of:
Amenity Aid - Rhode Island for Community & Justice - AS220 Youth Studio - AMOR Network RI
Towards an Anti Racist North Kingstown - Families Belong Together
National Public Radio - Blessings in a Backpack - Children’s Friend - Foster Forward
& is a community partner to the North Kingstown Office of Family Learning
Follow us on Instagram!
@harborcreativearts