St. Johns County, FL — Kick StART, an after-school art enrichment program sponsored by First Coast Cultural Center, is taking registration through mid-August at participating schools in St. Johns County (see list below). Students in kindergarten through sixth grade will embark on weekly, 90-minute adventures into the world of art, incorporating music and culinary experiences along the way.

“We have two fun semesters planned that include a variety of mediums, using oil pastels, watercolors, acrylics, clay, and more,” according to Kimberly Sheridan, FCCC Events and Programs Manager. Students will first learn elements of art from master artists throughout history and in modern times.

During the second semester, Sheridan said students will “become art detectives and travel to many countries” to create work, such as henna in India, jewelry in Greece, masks in South America, Adinkra patterns in Africa, and lapis lazuli in Asia.

Enrollment links are open on FCCC’s website at Kick StART (firstcoastculturalcenter.org) for the following schools on designated days: Picolata Crossing Elementary (Monday), PV/PV-Rawlings Elementary (Monday), Palencia Elementary (Tuesday), Ocean Palms Elementary (Tuesday), Freedom Crossing Academy (Wednesday), Palm Valley Academy (Friday), The Nest Christian Co-Op (Friday), and newly-added, Landrum Middle School (TBA). As a bonus, FCCC members receive a discount, and there is a membership signup link online.

In the past, FCCC was able to fully fund this program at two Title 1 schools, Crookshank Elementary and Webster Elementary. However, FCCC lost more than $87,000 of its yearly support due to the State of Florida’s defunding of arts programs.

“We have pending grant funding for our Title 1 schools and for supplies for the Kick StART program, but it’s not guaranteed,” explained Donna Guzzo, FCCC President and CEO. “With the state portion of our funding gone, we are relying more than ever on individual donors, grants, foundation and corporation sponsors, and income from our fee-based programs to keep the arts alive and in the hands of students.”

For more information about Kick StART, contact Kimberly Sheridan at 904-280-0614, Ext. 1205, or email her at programs@firstcoastculturalcenter.org.

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