The Colonie Youth Center had the honor of hosting the Capital District Child Care Council’s first annual Art Experience and Show on April 13 at their administrative office building 15 Avis Drive.
The weather was beautiful and the council staff enthusiastically transformed CYC’s School Aged Childcare program space into an interactive art gallery. It was a creative hands-on experience that nearly 200 local children and their families came to experience.
There was an abundance of child artwork on display. Children from all ages, toddler all the way through school-age, had submitted pieces to be viewed. The pieces were aesthetically arranged and it was pleasing to quietly meander through the room. No matter where your gaze rested there was something new for you to notice and enjoy.
The council staff were supervising several creation stations throughout the day. From painting to self-portraits to magnetic designs there was activity to keep the children engaged.
One of the most amazing offerings was the recycling station where imaginations ran wild. While the intent was to create one large collaborative structure, the children took the activity in a new direction and created their own unique masterpieces. The objects the children made with these recycled materials were a reflection of their inner selves and they were fabulous.
Some children were interviewed for a segment on the Child Care Council’s podcast, Home and Classroom. Others posed for a Polaroid picture to take home with them to remember the event. Free healthy snacks gave the children energy to explore, family friendly vendors were welcoming, and a silent auction was well represented by community supporters.
The entire day was dedicated to showcasing the great work done by area childcare centers to enhance the lives of the children they serve. It is through these centers that children are allowed and encouraged to express themselves in artistic ways, which were witnessed at this phenomenal occasion.
These childcare centers could not do their work without the guidance of the many experienced staff at the child care council who train, inspect, and offer valuable resources to centers each and every day.
This show offered the council one more opportunity to promote the centers they so passionately support. The Colonie Youth Center was happy to open their doors for such a worthwhile program and hopes to be a part of this event in future years. We are confident planning has already begun and we look forward to next year’s show to see how it will grow, expand, and transform.
Mark your calendars for spring of 2020 as this is an event not to be missed.
April Castle
Director, School-Age Childcare
Colonie Youth Center, Inc.
