On Saturday, October 19, Tryon Arts and Crafts School kicked off its new offering of free art classes, in which adults and youth learn together. The classes, made possible through a grant from the Polk County Community Foundation, are intended to strengthen bonds between children and adult family members, guardians, or mentors. Over a 6-week period, the pairs will participate in multiple art projects, such as stained glass and fused glass. 

 

Intergenerational art is just one of numerous new programs for young people that TACS is initiating this fall. Polk County Community Foundation has also provided funding for high school and middle school students to learn blacksmithing, pottery, and fused glass after-school at TACS free of charge. And, TACS is sending art instructors Karoline and John O’Rourke to teach weekly after-school elementary art classes at each of the local elementary schools as part of the public schools’ PEAK program, funded by Polk County Community Foundation. Additionally, TACS will introduce an after-school elementary art class taught by Clara Rogers in January.

 

The overarching objective of TACS’ new youth and outreach programming is to ensure that creative enrichment is available for people of all ages, regardless of socioeconomic circumstance. The school seeks to be a creative haven, where residents of the extended Polk County region are inspired and learn that the imagination knows no bounds.

 

Tryon Arts and Crafts School is a non-profit organization that exists to provide creative opportunities for everyone through education, instruction and expression of heritage and contemporary arts and crafts in a friendly, stimulating and enriching environment. 

 

For more information about the school, please contact the office at 828-859.8323 or visit our website, www.TryonArtsandCrafts.org. 

 

Submitted by Will Barclift