The Village Artist in Huntington Offers Flexible Summer Enrollment

The Village Artist, a fine arts center, is offering a flexible enrollment policy this summer for children and teens.

The Huntington-based art studio started the flexible program so that children and teens can pick and choose the summer workshop sessions that appeal to them over the summer, while utilizing workshop packages purchased at a discounted rate.

In addition to year-round classes for all ages, The Village Artist offers Summer Art Workshops as well as Teen Art Workshops/Portfolio Preparation from June 27-Sept. 1.

"You have all summer long to use your package, you just have to call to reserve a spot," says Lori Hochberg, founder of The Village Artist. "Just sign up the day before—as long as we have room, it's perfectly fine."

The Summer Art Workshops, for ages 6-18, are held Tuesday-Friday with a session in the morning (9:30am-12:15pm) and afternoon (12:45-3:30pm). Many of the workshops are new in a variety of mediums including watercolor, pastel, clay sculpture, and woodcraft. The subject matter will vary day-to-day from landscape, portrait, and still life to pet portraits, animals, abstracts, and more. The Village Artist also offers cartooning, fashion design, and some sessions that focus on learning about and creating an art project based on a famous artist.

"There's a nice variety of workshops for them to choose from," Hochberg says. Students can visit The Village Artist's website to view the Summer Art Workshop schedule and see the sessions taking place each day during the nine-week program. Those wishing to participate in both of the day's sessions can bring a lunch to enjoy during the 30-minute period between classes, Hochberg says.

In the Teen Art Workshops/Portfolio Preparation, ages 13-18 pick a medium and subject matter to concentrate on over the summer with the option of developing their portfolios under the guidance of experienced artists.  

Hochberg, who has a background in fine arts and arts education, teaches many of the classes and has more than 30 years of teaching experience. "I also have a wonderful staff that helps with summer programs who are professional artists as well as educators," Hochberg says. Though the number can vary because of the flexible program this summer, there are typically two teachers per art session.

The Village Artist celebrated its 22nd anniversary in March. In addition to its summer programming, the arts center also hosts paint and sip events for adults as well as children's birthday parties. Art classes for adults are held all day Monday as well as some evening times during the week. The custom frame shop within the store allows for easy framing of your (or your child's) latest masterpiece.

The Village Artist is offering an early enrollment discount of 10 percent off the Summer Art Workshops or the Teen Art Workshops until May 20. "And they don't have to pick their dates," Hochberg says.

RELATED: Get Area Activities in Your Inbox

Main image: With the flexible enrollment policy, children and teens can pick and choose the workshop sessions that appeal to them over the summer.
Courtesy The Village Artist