Our History

The Children’s Art Studio began when the founder was looking for art instruction for her children and found that such classes didn’t exist. She knew firsthand, after years working in education,  that kids love art and that creating art makes them brighter, stronger, and happier. The Children’s Art Studio was born and quickly earned a reputation for excellence. 

After ten years of parent-supported, (tuition based),  instruction during after-school, weekends, and holidays, the Children’s Art Studio created In-School Partnership Programs. Inspired by an invitation to partner with the Promise Neighborhood Initiative (an Obama Administration program to bring wrap-around services to Ward 7), the Children’s Art Studio created art programs for the youngest residents of Kenilworth-Parkside. 

We built two new In-School Partnership programs.  Each week , our in-school program served 250 students (3-5 years), and the after-school program served 100 students (5-10 years). In addition to these programs, we provided nurturing, enriching, and fun weekly art classes to 100 children (4-5 years) at UPO at Parkshide public housing.   

Our work with the Promise Neighborhood expanded to include a Professional Development program. We worked with twenty-five teachers to conduct a series of Materials Workshops, which included hands-on strategies for incorporating art materials into classroom teaching. 

Our In-School Partnership programs grew to include work with the District of Columbia Public Schools. In 2019, the Children's Art Studio provided summer art camp to over one hundred students at Plummer and Beers Elementary Schools in Ward 7, with funding from the Out-of-School Time Learn 24 Office.  

We have also worked with the District of Columbia Department of Parks and Recreation to create winter art camps and art workshops for children in Ward 7  on days when children are not in school.  During the pandemic we completed an In-School Partnership program with Kipp DC Public Charter School.  We worked with their Early Childhood Education department to provide a high-quality, in-person art camp to 250 students in July 2021. The program was a huge success.