2026 Summer Arts Program for Teens Ages 12-17*
*Mature 11 year olds admitted and18 year olds permitted if in high school 2026-2027 academic year
Please read program basics prior to registering to understand policies
Become a household member for discounts on teen and kids classes!
To receive a household membership discount on classes, email admin@canoneonta.org instead of registering for class.
Scholarships are available! Please fill out the Scholarship form
below and send to admin@canoneonta.org
%20copy.jpg)
9 weeks of writing, music & visual art classes
Join different instructors for a variety of foundational arts workshops that explore the fundamentals of art, writing, theater and music in an inclusive, supportive environment where exploration is encouraged.
Drama/Theater at the Wilber Mansion
Acting Essentials & Exploration with Courtney Murphy
August 17-20, 2-4pm
This workshop will cover a wide variety of topics related to acting for theatre including: improvisation, scene work, character development, and more with the goal of building each student’s confidence and creative thinking skills. Students will engage in theatre exercises and games, individual monologues, and short scenes with their peers. Improvisation activities will include games like those seen on shows like Whose Line Is It Anyway to foster agile and creative thought by utilizing voice and movement to tell a story.
Writing Classes at the Wilber Mansion
Creative Fiction Workshop: Fairytales Remixed & Reimagined with Alice Lichtenstein (Wilber Mansion)
June 30-July 2, 11am-1pm
Like a great music remix, students will explore fiction writing by taking a classic fairytale to remix it with the modern, the relevant, the spicy beat of their imagination.Classic fairytale structure and ways to change it up will be discussed as students create the fairytale remix they want to read.
Exploring Creative Writing through Poetry with Allison Collins (Wilber Mansion)
August 11-13, 1-3pm
Students will explore creative writing through poetry and different kinds of poems, as well as short stories and prompts. Participants will experiment with language, imagery and the expression of ideas and experiences through the lens of storytelling and discuss the role of story in everyday life.
Music Week at CANO Art Studio
Rock n' Roll Studio with Mark Pawkett
June 29-July 3, 1-4pm with 7/3 concert at 5pm
Students will study and perform popular songs from a variety of rock/pop genres. Learn how to wrote and read “lead sheets” and be a member of a performing ensemble that performs at the end of the week.
Teen should bring their own guitars/bass/cables. Keyboards, drums, amps, PA, mics will be provided on requesst. All levels accepted with the criteria that they can play their instrument at a basic level (be able to get through simple songs without stopping).Singers, guitarists, bassists, drummers, keyboardists, horns, strings all welcome.
Visual Art Classes (at the Wilber Mansion; Ceramics at the Art Studio)
Folk & DIY Art with Megan Joubert, Sara Christoff & Joanne Lentner
July 6-10, 2-4pm
A series of Folk & DIY inspired workshops such as making jewelry making, psanky painting, zine creation, collage, candle making, junk journaling and more.
Ceramics: From Mud to Magic with Afsana Kundhar
July 13, 14 & 16, 1:30-4pm
Students will build their own pieces, explore different tools, learn various techniques and get acquainted with the history of ceramics.
Modern Embroidery with Alyssa Hardy
July 21-23, 3-5pm
Students will learn basic embroidery stitches and then use them to create modern mixed media artwork. We will take your artwork to the next level as you add embroidered accents and details to a drawing or painting, or perhaps create a patch for clothing.
ReFashion to Runway with Afsana Kundhar
July 20, 21 & 23, noon-2pm
Give used clothing a new life and learn about the refashioned clothing movement. Students will design, sew and style their own clothing. Bring a piece of clothing (it can be anything) that you want to upcycle and lots of materials and supplies will be provided to create something new!
Mixed Media Self-Exploration with Megan Joubert & Sara Christoff
July 27-30, 2-4pm
Students will explore their creativity and self-identity through mixed media projects such as Shadow Boxes, Candle Painting, Polaroid photography, creating oddity jars and more!
Essentials of Drawing with Theresa Savage Cooper
August 3-6, 11am-2pm
Essentials of drawing such as line, shade, texture, depth, composition, negative space, form, key etc. and what these different principals can bring to a drawing by either elevating it or changing it dramatically. Techniques explored will be blending, contour, cross hatching, hatching, stippling, and scumbling. The primary material used will be pencil with exposure to charcoal or conte pastel. Each student will have the option to use these principals any way they choose, which could be in representational (realistic) drawing, abstract or a combination thereof.
Intro to Printmaking with Alyssa Hardy
August 11-13, 3-5pm
Students will explore the stamping process using everyday objects. Then we will carve linoleum blocks that can be stamped and traded. Students will go home with prints to share with family and friends.
Essentials of Oil Painting with Theresa Savage Cooper
August 17-20, 11am-2pm
This class will both “draw” on the “Essentials of Drawing” class (not required) and explore the many varied techniques of oil painting as well as an introduction to the materials. We will learn some of tools of the old masters which can be applied to both representational painting, abstract painting or a combination of both. Techniques such as alla prima, velaturra effect, grisaiile, imprimatura, and glazing will be used.
Seeing Beyond the Lens:Photography & Mixed Media Uses with Mitchell Loper
August 25-27, 2-4pm
In this workshop we will go over basic design, B&W photography, color photography, basic printing, and mixed media techniques.
The class will create their own works using paint, photographs, found objects, paper, and other materials to create mixed media collage work. Phone cameras and digital cameras of all kinds are welcome.
If assistance is required for a camera, please contact Loper.foto@gmail.com at least two weeks in advance to make proper arrangements.
2026 CANO Summer Arts Program Basics
● The Summer Arts Program for Teens has different hours each week. Please take note of the hours as CANO does not offer extended care. Students must be picked up promptly. Please do not drop youths off more than 10 minutes before class.
● Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Space is limited.
● Payment is required upon registration to reserve the space. Sign up for 1 or all weeks.
● Summer Arts Program is designed for tweens and teens between 12-17 years (Mature 11 years olds and18 years old if still a high school student in 2026-2027 academic year.
● Each week is different, so be sure to register for multiple weeks throughout the summer for an immersive art experience!
Parents of attendees, please read:
● Provide a water bottle or other beverage for your youth.
● Parent/guardian must sign teen into the summer art program and sign out upon pick-up every day.
● Please let your teen stay at home if they are sick. Teens with a fever or other symptoms of illness will not be allowed to attend that day.
● Art is messy! Teens must wear clothing that can get paint, ink, and other mediums on them. We recommend that teens wear closed-toe shoes for their own protection.
● Art mediums and materials are included in tuition.
● Please contact the Executive Director by email at:
admin@CANOneonta.org for more information.
*Cancellation Policy
A refund equal to half of tuition paid will be granted for cancellations made two weeks before the registered start date. No refunds will be made for cancellations made less than two weeks prior to that date. Please notify us immediately of any cancellations. Full refunds will only be granted if the program is canceled.
*Disciplinary Policy
To ensure that everyone has a safe and enjoyable experience, disruptive or dangerous behavior will not be tolerated. While teachers will make every effort to redirect behavior, parents will be called and asked to pick up their child if problem behavior persists. There will be no refund of class fees if a child must leave due to behavioral issues.
*Medical or Other Needs
It is your responsibility to let our teachers know of any medical or other needs that your child has. CANO is not responsible for the administration of medication, wtih the exception of an Epipen (provided by parent) in emergency situations. Please fill the Consent to Treatment form at first day of class.
Thanks to NYSCA for supporting the summer arts program!