Community Arts Academy Offers Music, Digital Media Design Classes for Kids

Buffalo State’s School of Arts and Humanities is reaching out to young artists with a slate of new classes this spring through its Community Arts Academy (CAA). Founded in 2014, the CAA offers engaging hands-on, research-based classes for young community members taught by Buffalo State faculty and advanced student interns.

A mix of visual arts, digital media, and creative writing classes begin in March.

• Popups and Comic Books (Grades K–5)
  What: Students will create pop-up and comic books while learning about the history and conventions of these forms. 
  When: Saturdays, March 4–April 1, 10:00 a.m. to noon.
  Where: Ketchum Hall 320 
  Cost: $89 for 5 classes.
   
• New Approaches to Creative Writing (Grades K–5)
  What: Students will build stories in a variety of mediums and methods to spur imaginations.
  When: Saturdays, April 8–May 13 (no class April 15), 10:00 a.m. to noon.
  Where: Ketchum Hall 320 
  Cost: $89 for 5 classes.
   
• Basic Video Game Level Design (Grades 6–12)
  What: Students will learn the basics of video game design with 3D modeling, texturing, and animation with free software they can access and use at home.
  When: Saturdays, March 4–April 1, 10:00 a.m. to noon.
  Where: Upton Hall 211 
  Cost: $89 for five classes.
   
• Collaborative Photography Workshop (Grades 8–12)
  What: Students will work collaboratively to explore camera function, film, and printing processes in a studio environment.
  When: Saturdays, March 18 and 25, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
  Where: Upton Hall 112
  Cost: $120 for 2 classes.
   
• Metal Casting Sculptures (Grades 6–12)
  What: Students will learn to complete a cast metal relief sculpture from start to finish. Two separate sessions: Iron Casting Sculptures and Aluminum Casting Sculptures.
  When: Iron Casting Sculptures, Saturdays, March 4–April 1, 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.; Aluminum Casting Sculptures, Saturdays, April 8–May 13 (except April 15), 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.
  Where: Upton Hall 301 
  Cost: $95 per session, 5 classes each session. Includes course materials.
   
• Modern Art Expression in Mural Design (Grades K–8)
  What: Students will develop and deepen their personal exploration of artistic expression while creating a collaborative multi-panel mural. Classes divided by grades. Two separate sessions.
  When: Session A: Saturdays, March 4–April 1, (Grades K-4), 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. and (Grades 5-8), 10:30 a.m. to noon. Session B: Saturdays, April 8–May 13 (except April 15), (Grades K–4), 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. and (Grades 5–8), 10:30 a.m. to noon.
  Where: Upton Hall 404 
  Cost: $79 per session, 5 classes each session. Includes course materials.
   
• Magic of Photography (Grades K-4)
  What: Discover the wonder of how photography works through its basic tools and materials. 
  When: Saturday, April 8, from 9:30 a.m. to noon.
  Where: Upton Hall 112
  Cost: $45.
   
• Seeing with a Camera (Grades 8-12)
  What: Students will learn to see like a photographer, using a 35 mm camera with black and white film and darkroom printing.
  When: Saturdays, April 22–May 15,  9:30 a.m. to noon.
  Where: Upton Hall 112
  Cost is $155 for 4 classes. Includes lab materials.

Full payment is required at registration for all classes. To register and see more details, go to the Community Arts Academy website. For additional questions, call (716) 878-6326.