Paint, Write, Act: Tons for Teens at the Arts & Nature School

NEWTOWN, CT — Newtown area teens now have lots of options when it comes to cool, creative, extracurricular activities. The Arts & Nature School of Ridgefield is offering a series of classes, workshops and special events just for teens. From graffiti arts and drawing, to musical theater to clay and cartooning, teens with a desire to explore their inner artist will enjoy the wide variety of activities the school offers.

Middle school and high school students who wish to help combat drinking, drugs and bring to light other issues teens face through an interactive live drama are invited to join a free theater session. Class is taught by Wendy Mitchell, an award-winning theater instructor with over 20 years of experience teaching youth in the Greater Danbury Area.

As a member of the Ridgefield Youth Commission, the Ridgefield Arts Council and a volunteer youth mentor for 17 years, she is dedicated to helping teens reach their full potential by encouraging them to find their voice through acting, writing, music and art. Mitchell, a writer who has written and produced over a dozen youth plays, wrote a three-part drama called "Forward Motion" which was presented at inner city churches and community centers in the New Haven, Waterbury and Bridgeport areas to the praise of parents and teens alike. She is currently working to get her 501(c)3 nonprofit status for this much-needed community youth program.

Funding for this free program comes through fundraising, events and private donors. Anyone interested in supporting this very worthy cause is welcome to reach out to Wendy Mitchell at the Arts & Nature School at (475) 215-5582 or artsandnatureschool@gmail.com.

For students who are looking to write a novel, Rae Elliott, published author and blogger is hosting a one-day workshop at the school on Saturday, Feb. 3, from 5:00-6:30 p.m. Teens will enjoy writing exercises, prompts and fun games at the one-day workshop which is $25 per student. Teens are invited to stay for Pizza & Paint (Dragons & Unicorns w/Jesse) after the writers workshop from 6:30-8:00pm for an additional $25 per student which covers the supply cost and pizza.

Check out their upcoming classes, workshops and special events just for teens by clicking the links below.

• TABOO: Free Teen Theater Workshop, Mon. Jan. 29
• Drawing & Cartooning: Tuesdays, Grades 6-12
• The Art of Graffiti: Tuesdays, Grades 6 - 12
• 8-Week Knitting Class: Wednesdays, Tweens & Teens
• Intro to Writing for TEENS: One-Day Workshop, Grades 7-12, Sat. Feb. 3
• TEENS Unicorns & Dragons Pizza & Paint, Sat. Feb. 3
• 8-Week TEEN Writer's Workshop: Wednesdays, Grades 7-12
• Bullet Journal 101: Beginner #BUJO Workshop Teens, Sat. Feb. 10

For more information visit www.artsandnatureschoolofridgefield.com, call (475) 215-5582 or email artsandnatureschool@gmail.com.
Photo credit: Wendy Ann Mitchell