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 2023 as we further explore the theme of You are Here!

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. Cancellations before May 26 will be assessed a $100 service charge. No refunds after May 26 per child per program (not per session). Refunds will be given should we need to cancel the program. There is no program on July 4. 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.

We believe art should be accessible to all. Financial assistance is available for those that qualify. Use this link to apply by 11:00am on March 31.

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. 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 $100. Cancellations before May 26 will be assessed a $100 service charge per child per program (not per session). No refunds after July 14. Refunds will be given should we need to cancel the program. 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 5th-8th graders are:

Week 1 morning: 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!

Week 1 afternoon: paint and collage

MAKE YOUR PLACE with Candace Winter

Create your own materials to then make a collage out of! Inspired by our theme of You Are Here, young artists will be painting and stamping paper and other materials, then transforming those newly created raw materials into collaged landscapes. Three-dimensional creatures living in the worlds we create will be created relief-style and incorporated.

Week 2 morning: clay

BARK with Renee Curci Ivanoff

Let’s explore making functional or sculptural works out of clay focusing on trees, bark, texture, leaves, and things that rest or live on a tree. Think of a clay box, covered in moss on one side, leaves on another, mushrooms on the lid with a snail peeking out. The possibilities are endless. Bring your imagination.

Week 2 afternoon: earth art

IMAGINE EARTH with Kate Daley

Use your imagination and innovative spirit to integrate art into the earth and the earth into art! Discover new ways to use natural materials and upcycled everyday objects. You can build habitats with mud, make paintings with plant pigments and create outdoor installations with whatever you can find!

We believe art should be accessible to all. Financial assistance is available for those that qualify. Use this link to apply by 11:00am on March 31.