Newburgh JCC, in partnership with Orange County Arts Council, are presenting socially-distant art classes for children ages 5-8, 8-12 and 12-16 on Wednesday during September, 2:00-4:00 pm. Groups will be kept small and all participants are required to wear masks.

Artist Amy Lewis Sweetman brings her artistic talents to Newburgh JCC thanks to the Jarrett Markel Fund from the Orange County New York Arts Council. Participants, all wearing masks, arrived to  partake in Agrisculpture: an inventive integration of creative arts and the natural world. Sweetman, a Hudson Valley native, started her classes preparations down by the banks of the Hudson river collecting branches to be decorated and used as walking sticks by the students. Her youngest participants had fun letting their imaginations roam producing everything from bow and arrows to butterflies emerging as final take-home projects. 

Stefanie Kostenblatt, Executive Director of Newburgh JCC, said, “Seeing small groups arriving on-site for community-building and experience-rich events is heartwarming and central to the mission of the public center open to people of all ages, religions, ethnicities and races. Classes are affordable at $10 per child. Thanks to funds provided by the Jarrett Markel Fund, we’re able to offer professional teaching artists from Orange County to provide hands-on arts opportunities.”

Activities range from paper arts, book arts, creating with nature, comic book creation, storytelling, drawing, and painting.  

At the Newburgh JCC safety and precaution are very much at the forefront of reopening. “We have always been diligent about safety at our facility, but we have taken things to the next level with updated air systems, sanitization processes and strict adherence to NYS guidance on recreation and small gatherings,” said Kostenblatt. 

Class takes place on Wednesdays from 2 – 4 PM in age-separated groups at 290 North St. in Newburgh. For class details, visit the Newburgh JCC website at https://www.newburghjcc.org/childrens-classes.html . Reserve your spot in class today!

For more information regarding this event, as well as Orange County Arts Council’s programs, including The Art Affair Annual Gala, Members Art Auction and others, please visit OCAC’s website at www.ocartscouncil.org or email info@ocartscouncil.org.