The Sawnee Cultural Arts Center announced today that it has partnered with Abrakadoodle, a leading art education company, to offer classes to children 20 months through 12 years.

Parents who are interested in enrolling their children in art lessons can try an Abrakadoodle class free on Saturday, October 9 at the Center. Classes for Twoosy Doodlers (20 – 36 months), Mini Doodlers (age 3 to K) and Doodlers (grades 1-6) will be offered at 10:00am, 10:45am and 11:45am, respectively. The trial class is free, but participants must register by October 4.

Abrakadoodle Director Joan Harbin explained that “Abrakadoodle is more than just an art program. We inspire children to create; we give them time to delight in colors, various materials, textures, techniques, thinking, planning and spatial awareness – from water color to origami – using products from Crayola.”

Paula DeLong Glover, Executive Director for the Sawnee Cultural Arts Center, says she is eager to offer Abrakadoodle classes. “Abrakadoodle is the most child-centered and developmentally appropriate art program I’ve seen. At the end of an Abrakadoodle lesson, each child has been exposed to both old masters and contemporary artists and they have created a framed work of art.”

Harbin also noted that both verbal and math SAT scores were higher for students who have had arts instruction, according to a 2002 report from the College Board. “Abrakadoodle is unique because the program is accessible to children at a very young age. It’s the perfect age to begin arts exploration, because children are so open and so receptive to the creative process.”

After the free trial on October 9, classes will be offered at the Center on Tuesdays, November 2 – December 28. The registration fee is $50 per month and the supply fee is $8 per month.

To register for the free trial class or ongoing classes, please visit www.sawneecenter.org/abrakadoodle or call 770.889.4977.

For more information on the Abrakadooldle approach to art instruction, please visit www.abrakadoodle.com or contact Joan Harbin at 770.777.0777.