SAAC offers new 'Art of Kenya' class for children

Jessica Kearns leads the South Arkansas Arts Center's new Art of Kenya class. (Contributed)
Jessica Kearns leads the South Arkansas Arts Center's new Art of Kenya class. (Contributed)

Special to the News-Times

The South Arkansas Arts Center has announced a new art class for children, one that is the first of its kind at SAAC.

Students can now take a journey into Kenya with SAAC's newest instructor, Jessica Kearns.

Students will explore the beauty of Kenya and create art from one of the world's greatest inspirations: wild animals in Africa. In this art session, students will learn how to make amazing animals and reptiles found in Kenya, create African designs and use many different mediums and techniques, with a little bit of music, art and movement added in for fun.

"What if... What if a meaningful and life changing chance of a lifetime could be possible for yourself and our youth? The power of creating art creates a voice and can be as flowing as water if we have the courage to express it," Kearns said.

When she's not teaching at SAAC, Kearns works in Murphy USA's asset development department. She previously taught art to children for 21 years in New York. She also has her own business, Chong Watermark, which offers personalized paintings and original works by her.

Kearns currently lives in El Dorado but has spent most of her life in Syracuse, New York. She earned her associates degree in fine arts at Onondaga Community College, followed by her bachelor's and master's in Art Education from Syracuse University with a concentration in surface design and ceramics. Kearns attended courses pertaining to East Asian Studies across the United States over the past eight years.

"My artwork is a journey and is forever evolving," she said.

At the national level, Kearns has received five prestigious grants to travel, has participated in global projects and completed professional development and strives to continue her educational opportunities. SAAC is thrilled to welcome Jessica to the roster of talented local artists.

Join Jessica for this journey into the wilds of Kenya and learn so much about the animals that reside there through visual arts and movement! "Art of Kenya," for children in grades 2-6, is offered on Tuesdays from 5:15-6:15. Visit saac-arts.org to register.

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