Stairways’ Center City Arts to Open Summer Arts Academy for Youth

Erie, PA, May 15, 2011 --(PR.com)-- Center City Arts (CCA), a program of Stairways Behavioral Health (SBH), will launch a Summer Arts Academy beginning June 14, 2011. This pilot program is offered to talented and interested sophomore and junior high school students from select schools in the Erie area. Following this pilot program, additional classes may be offered and the program expanded into year-round offerings to Erie County students, giving regional youth a high-quality art experience and a competitive edge at the university level and beyond. "This program is meant to give high school students a chance to be creative during the summer," said CCA director Lee Steadman. "It also gives us a chance to partner with and support the quality art programs in surrounding school districts." The pilot program is made possible, in part, through a matching grant from the Erie Community Foundation.

The Center City Arts Summer Arts Academy will run from June 14 through August 3 and feature two concurrent 8-week programs: a Masters level program and an Apprentice program. Lee Steadman, an internationally recognized watercolor artist, will personally instruct Masters students in drawing and painting and portfolio review. As a pre-college class for those considering the arts as a career, the Masters program will also offer help in resume-building, guidance in the college application process, and networking. For Apprentice program students, a team of artists will provide instruction in a variety of mediums: glass fusing, papermaking, printmaking and metal jewelry arts.

Both groups will showcase their work in a culminating art show and sale on September 15, 2011, at an event on the four-acre estate grounds of Center City Arts.

Center City Arts is located in the renovated carriage house at the former Rose Koehler Curtze mansion, 138 East 26th Street, at the corner of 26th and Holland. Its spacious, modern studio features full-spectrum and natural lighting and overlooks acres of flower, vegetable and sculpture gardens.

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