York Art Association

Financial assistance is available for K-12 students based on need and fund availability. To learn more and apply online, see our: SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FORM  or print out a copy of the application form HERE.

CHILDREN'S & YOUTH PROGRAMS

  • DRAWING for BEGINNERS (12+) with Jessie Groft

    • Monday, April 06, 2026
    • Monday, May 25, 2026
    • 8 sessions
    • York Art Association 220 S. Marshall St York, PA 17402
    • 5
    • 10 registrants
    Registration is closed

    MONDAYS | 6 - 8 pm | BEGINNER | $140M/$160NM

    Registration Closes 3/30/2026

    Have you ever looked at a beautiful drawing and wished you were born with the talent to do that?  Do you believe drawing well is only for the few who are naturally gifted? Think again! It is a skill that can be developed and mastered with practice and patience! You can learn by training your eyes to see like an artist and then your hands to execute what you see. In this course, students will work at their own pace using tried and true methods demonstrated in class. Learn about proportions, value and perspective by using tools such as grids and sight-size to help you improve your drawing skills. This class is designed for young artists as well as late bloomers - so parents (or grandparents) and kids 12 and up can learn side-by-side!

    SUPPLY LIST: Good quality 9x12 sketchbook (or larger), set of drawing graphite pencils, and a kneaded eraser (suggested, but not required: Tombow mono zero eraser, proportional scale divider)



    Show details

  • COLLAGE ANIMAL FACES - with Kim Morrow

    • Monday, July 06, 2026
    • Thursday, July 09, 2026
    • 4 sessions
    • 220 S Marshall St York PA 17402
    • 12
    • Be the first
    Register

    July 6th -9th | 10am-12pm | Ages 6-10 | $140M $160NM

    Registration Closes June 29th

    Unleash your wild side! Come crreate bold, joyful animal portraits using large‑arm scribbles, watercolor resist, torn‑paper collage, and inked details. Students will:

    ● Make large-scale crayon scribbles to music (encouraging cross‑body arm movement)

    ● Paint full-sheet washes to explore resist techniques

    ● Tear painted sheets into strips and build textured collages

    ● Add eyes, noses/beaks, fur and feather details with India/black acrylic ink and acrylic highlights

    ● Finish a unique animal face ready to display

    Show details

  • WATERCOLOR AND PENCIL ART - with Kim Morrow

    • Monday, July 06, 2026
    • Thursday, July 09, 2026
    • 4 sessions
    • 220 S Marshall St York PA 17402
    • 10
    • 2 registrants
    Register

    July 6th -9th | 1pm-3pm | Ages 11-15 | $140M $160NM

    Registration Closes June 29th

    Four consecutive afternoons of rubber‑cement masking, watercolor wash, and watercolor‑pencil techniques. Learn to paint whimsical masked designs, create 2–3 color blended washes, lift rubber cement to reveal white shapes, and add layered watercolor‑pencil details. Finish a varnish‑ready piece and learn expressive abstract methods.


    WHAT STUDENTS WILL DO

    ● Paint whimsical masked designs using rubber cement

    ● Create blended background washes (2–3 colors)

    ● Remove rubber cement mask to reveal white shapes and textures

    ● Add and activate watercolor‑pencil marks for depth and detail

    ● Learn composition, color balance, brush and mask care, and finishing/varnish     tips

    Show details

  • STORYBOOK CREATIONS - with Karen Starr

    • Monday, July 13, 2026
    • Thursday, July 16, 2026
    • 4 sessions
    • 220 S Marshal St York PA 17402
    • 10
    • 2 registrants
    Register

    July 13th-16th | 10am-12pm | Ages 6-10 |$140M $160NM

    Registration Closes July 6th

    Young artists will be inspired through the magic of storytelling in this creative, imagination-filled class! Each session begins with a lively read-aloud, followed by a hands-on art project that brings the story to life in a unique and meaningful way.

    Featured stories and projects include:

    • “The Dot” – Students will explore creativity and self-expression as they learn to “make their mark,” creating artwork that celebrates individuality and artistic confidence.
    • “Harold and the Purple Crayon” – Using a limited purple palette and geometric shapes, students will design their own imaginative worlds and adventurous scenes.
    • “Giraffes Can’t Dance” – Artists will sculpt their own animal using air-dry clay, then paint it in bold, unexpected colors to celebrate uniqueness and self-expression.
    • “Swimmy” – Students will experiment with printmaking techniques, using handmade stamps and bubble wrap to create dynamic underwater scenes full of texture and movement.

    This class encourages creativity, builds confidence, and helps students connect storytelling with artistic expression in a fun and engaging way!

    No materials needed.

    About the Instructor:

    Karen Starr is a retired art teacher with 21 years of education experience. She taught art to children from 1st-12th grades at different times throughout her career at Southeastern School District. Before teaching, Karen was a graphic designer at various locations in Baltimore, MD for 10 years.  She enjoys all mediums, but gravitates towards pencil pet portraits and watercolors. Her work can be seen on FaceBook at : K. Starr Portraits.  Karen is looking forward to teaching these classes at York Art Association this summer. We will have so much fun!

    Show details

  • SCULPTED SNACKS - with Karen Starr

    • Monday, July 13, 2026
    • Thursday, July 16, 2026
    • 4 sessions
    • 220 S Marshall St York PA 17402
    • 10
    • 2 registrants
    Register

    July 13th-16th | 1-3pm | Ages 11-15 | $140M $160NM

    Registration Closes July 6th

    Students will dive into a fun and imaginative process as they create playful 3D food sculptures—think colorful desserts, stacked pancakes, sprinkled donuts, and classic hot dogs! Using everyday materials like toilet paper, water spray bottles, gesso, Mod Podge, and more, they’ll learn how to build form, add texture, and bring their creations to life. This hands-on experience encourages creativity, experimentation, and a little bit of delicious-looking fun (no eating required!).

    All materials will be supplied. 

    About the Instructor:

    Karen Starr is a retired art teacher with 21 years of education experience. She taught art to children from 1st-12th grades at different times throughout her career at Southeastern School District. Before teaching, Karen was a graphic designer at various locations in Baltimore, MD for 10 years.  She enjoys all mediums, but gravitates towards pencil pet portraits and watercolors. Her work can be seen on Facebook at : K. Starr Portraits.  Karen is looking forward to teaching these classes at York Art Association this summer. We will have so much fun!

    Show details

  • UNDER THE SEA - with Sue Miller

    • Monday, July 20, 2026
    • Thursday, July 23, 2026
    • 4 sessions
    • 220 S Marshall St. York PA 17402
    • 9
    Register

    July 20th -23rd | 10am-12pm | Ages 6-10 | $140M $160NM

    Registration Closes July 13th

    Dive into creativity during our “Under the Sea” Camp! Your child will explore the wonders of ocean life by designing and creating their very own sea creatures, then bringing their underwater world to life in a personalized shoebox diorama. From colorful fish to imaginative deep-sea creatures, each project will be a unique ocean adventure!

    If you happen to have extra shoeboxes, toilet paper tubes, or other small recyclable materials at home, we would greatly appreciate any donations—they help make our creations even more magical!

     

    SUE MILLER began drawing at a young age, around 7 years old. She would often draw animals, plants, and trees around her house to share with her parents and grandparents. She was mesmerized by the famous artists' works found in books and on TV, admiring the “great masters.”

    Sue continued to grow and learn art forms at York College of PA, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree. As an artist, she continues to learn techniques from other artists such as David J. Rogers, Bianca Rosen, and Bradley Hendershot, who have influenced the shaping of her own unique style. Her goal is to share her enthusiasm and joy for the arts while encouraging students to learn something new every day. She believes that all students are capable of learning to draw and paint with patience and practice. She is a proud member of the York Art Association.


    Show details

  • EMBROIDERY CAMP - with Sue Miller

    • Monday, July 20, 2026
    • Thursday, July 23, 2026
    • 4 sessions
    • 220 S Marshall St. York PA 17402
    • 9
    • 3 registrants
    Register

    July 20th -23rd | 1-3pm | Ages 11-15 | $140M $160NM

    Registration Closes July 13th

    In this Summer Embroidery Camp you will learn 14 basic stitches using DMC floss to create your own shapes, textures and outlines for designs that will jazz up your own t-shirts, sweatshirts, jeans, shorts, pillowcase, apron, tea towels, or hand towels.  

    So look around your house and bring to camp,  your jeans, jean jackets, t-shirts, sweatshirts, cooking apron, shorts, pillowcase, handkerchief, to decorate with hand sewn embroidery stitching!

      

    SUE MILLER began drawing at a young age, around 7 years old. She would often draw animals, plants, and trees around her house to share with her parents and grandparents. She was mesmerized by the famous artists' works found in books and on TV, admiring the “great masters.”

    Sue continued to grow and learn art forms at York College of PA, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree. As an artist, she continues to learn techniques from other artists such as David J. Rogers, Bianca Rosen, and Bradley Hendershot, who have influenced the shaping of her own unique style. Her goal is to share her enthusiasm and joy for the arts while encouraging students to learn something new every day. She believes that all students are capable of learning to draw and paint with patience and practice. She is a proud member of the York Art Association.

     

    Show details

  • PAWS AND PAINT (8-10) - with Jessie Groft

    • Monday, July 27, 2026
    • Thursday, July 30, 2026
    • 4 sessions
    • 220 S Marshall St York PA 17402
    • 11
    • 1 registrant
    Register

    July 27th -30th | 10am-12pm | Ages 8-10 | $140M $160NM

    Registration closes July 20th

    Give your child a wildly creative experience at our Paws and Paint camp! Young artists will explore painting techniques while bringing their favorite animals to life on canvas—from fluffy pets to scaly critters.

    What makes this camp extra special? Real animal visitors from Critter Connections! Campers will have the unique opportunity to observe and interact with live animals, helping them capture authentic details, personality, and movement in their artwork.

    Through guided instruction, fun demos, and plenty of creative freedom, kids will build confidence in their artistic skills while deepening their appreciation for animals. The week is filled with hands-on painting, up-close animal encounters, and lots of imaginative fun.

    Perfect for animal lovers and creative kids alike—this is an art adventure they won’t forget!



    Show details

  • PAWS AND PAINT (11-15) - with Jessie Groft

    • Monday, July 27, 2026
    • Thursday, July 30, 2026
    • 4 sessions
    • 220 S Marshall St York PA 17402
    • 6
    • 6 registrants
    Register

    July 27th -30th | 1PM-3pm | Ages 11-16 | $140M $160NM

    Registration closes July 20th


    Give your child a wildly creative experience at our Paws and Paint camp! Young artists will explore painting techniques while bringing their favorite animals to life on canvas—from fluffy pets to scaly critters.

    What makes this camp extra special? Real animal visitors from Critter Connections! Campers will have the unique opportunity to observe and interact with live animals, helping them capture authentic details, personality, and movement in their artwork.

    Through guided instruction, fun demos, and plenty of creative freedom, kids will build confidence in their artistic skills while deepening their appreciation for animals. The week is filled with hands-on painting, up-close animal encounters, and lots of imaginative fun.

    Perfect for animal lovers and creative kids alike—this is an art adventure they won’t forget!



    Show details

  • THE ART OF MURAL PAINTING (10-17) - with Annelise Vuono

    • Monday, August 03, 2026
    • Thursday, August 06, 2026
    • 4 sessions
    • 220 S Marshall St York PA 17402
    • 10
    • 5 registrants
    Register

    8/3-8/6 | 10am-3pm | Ages 10-17| $165 MEM / $185 NON-MEM

    Registration Closes July 27th

    This unique tween/teen art camp, led by professional artist Annelise Vuono, offers an exceptional opportunity for young creatives ages 10-18. Participants will explore the design process, learning how to plan and execute a large-scale mural to be displayed in a public space.

    Throughout the camp, students will collaborate to bring Annelise's conceptualized design to life, applying their artistic skills to each stage of the project. Working together in the studio, these aspiring artists will gain hands-on experience with all phases of mural creation, from initial sketches to the final finishes. This immersive experience promises to inspire creativity, teamwork, and a sense of accomplishment, all while contributing to a meaningful public art project.

    *The location and theme for this year's mural are currently being finalized, so more details on this exciting opportunity will be shared soon.

    *For safety and weather-related reasons, mural construction and painting will take place at YAA, with the mural to be installed at its designated location at a later date. 

    SUPPLIES: All supplies included. Students should dress for the mess and bring a packed lunch for camp.


    Show details

Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software