Summer Arts on the Hudson is Garrison Art Center’s highly acclaimed arts immersion program for children entering grades K – 8. SAH is a unique opportunity for children to learn new skills and expand their worlds. While the focus is on art, the program is designed to serve all interests and the creative potential of all children. Students will use a wide range of materials in traditional and experimental approaches, with an emphasis on shared discovery and friendly fun. Each year a different theme is chosen to guide the curriculum and, along with the study of many artists and ideas, children begin the development of a richer artistic language. We welcome all young artists in 2024 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of GAC as we further explore the theme of ‘The Year Was 1964!’

This summer’s theme will allow our teaching artists to introduce students to a wide range of artists, art history, and art-making. Students will be engaged in collage, painting, sculpture, papier mache, and more. Our teaching staff is comprised of highly credentialed teaching artists, whose knowledge and open approach will encourage and nurture all students.

The daily program runs for 4 weeks, with families having the option to choose one or both two-week sessions. We do not offer one-week sessions. Tuition includes all materials needed for the program. There is the option to pay in full or take advantage of a payment plan. Signing up a sibling? Use the promo code SIBLING when signing up a second or third child and save $25. Our Summer Programs Cancellation Policy can be found here. If you do not get a spot immediately, do not despair! Please put yourself on the waiting list. We were able to accommodate many of the children from the wait list last year.

There is no program on Thursday, July 4. 

We believe art should be accessible to all. Financial assistance is available for those who qualify. Use this link to apply on 11:00am on March 29.

If you are planning on using an Art Ed card towards tuition, please register first to ensure your spot, then reach out to us. 

PARENTS OF RISING 1ST GRADERS: You have the choice of this group or the Kindergarten-1st grade group for your child. 

Art a la Carte offers children the opportunity to experience multiple types of art-making at our studios. This program offers two weeks of half-day, one-week classes in the morning and the afternoon, giving families the flexibility of half or full-day, and one or two weeks. Students registered for a full-day experience will be supervised for lunch and free time between classes. Half-day students can stay during lunch for an additional fee here. Students must bring their own food. 

Tuition includes all materials needed for the program. There is the option to pay in full or take advantage of a payment plan. Our Summer Programs Cancellation Policy can be found here. Signing up for the full day? Use the promo code FULLDAY when signing up for a morning and afternoon class on the same week and save $50. If you do not get a spot immediately, do not despair! Please put yourself on the waiting list. We were able to accommodate many of the children from the wait list last year.

Classes for rising 2nd-4th graders are:

Week 1 morning: upcycled sculptures

BEASTLY BIOME BUILDERS with Kate Daley

Create shelters on land, homes underwater, and nests up in the trees! In this class, we will design and construct dwellings inspired by builders from the animal world. Think about the colorful nests of bowerbirds, multi-room beaver lodges, and intricate bee hives. Considering the resources of different natural environments, we will ponder why animals build the way they do. We can learn from them to create structures with purpose and beauty. Experimentation with size and materials is encouraged. Build up, down, and sideways with natural and recycled materials. 

Week 1 afternoon: drawing

EYEBALLING IT with TBD

Learn how to take what you see and turn it into a drawing! In this class we will be sharpening our observation skills along with our pencils through blind contour drawing, negative space drawing, and more. We will draw outside occasionally when the weather cooperates.

Week 2 morning: mixed media

FLOWER POWER with Candace Winter

Inspired by the groovy graphics and awesome art of the 1960s, students will be creating mixed media art using a variety of textures, colors, and materials including painted paper, yarn, textiles, and more. 

Week 2 afternoon: cartooning

DRAWING CHARACTERS with Ed Murr

Learn the basics of drawing cartoon characters! Using shapes as a foundation, students will experiment with creating their own characters for comics. Attention to beginning technique will be given while fostering students' creativity and character ideas!

We believe art should be accessible to all. Financial assistance is available for those who qualify. Use this link to apply on 11:00am on March 29.

If you are planning on using an Art Ed card towards tuition, please register first to ensure your spot, then reach out to us.