A wealth of creative art experiences will be at community members’ fingertips this summer, as popular teaching artists lead a full slate of Greenbelt Recreation classes online. In lieu of the traditional quarterly activity guide, patrons can view the Summer Arts Classes Guide available on the Greenbelt Virtual Recreation Center: greenbeltmd.gov/recreation.
Summer class registration will open for Greenbelt residents on June 1, and for non-residents on June 3. Registration will be accepted online through RecLink and by email; Greenbelt Recreation business offices are currently closed to walk-in business. For additional information, patrons may call 301-397-2200.
Classes will be available for infants through adults, including family programs to enjoy together. Classes will include live instruction or check-ins on Zoom. Some classes will also include original pre-recorded videos and several will provide supply kits. The summer session will extend from June 15 to August 14. Within that timeframe, individual programs will vary in length from stand-alone activities to extended classes meeting weekly.
The bountiful schedule of summer arts classes follows a spring season of rapid innovation in response to the pandemic. Working with senior arts staff and eager instructors, class programmers Angella Foster, Lisa Pellittiere and Amanda Larsen have developed several new ways of engaging constituents. Services have ranged from on-demand video activities and downloadable tutorials to live “show and tell” sessions, workshops and classes on Zoom. Greenbelt Recreation recognizes the extraordinary contributions of all the part-time programmers and educators who have continued to provide quality instruction and maintain meaningful, supportive connections with participants during a challenging time.
Greenbelt Recreation staff also wish to thank patrons for their enthusiasm, flexibility and input during the spring “beta testing” phase of online programming. Their participation has enabled instructors to quickly gain experience with new technology and adapt their teaching methods. For example, the performing arts team needed to develop strategies for overcoming the slight time lag on Zoom that prevents students from synchronizing their actions; success was achieved through well-choreographed muting and turn taking. In some cases, teaching “experiments” have involved home delivery of art supplies. Ceramics instructor Judy Goldberg-Strassler commented, “I felt like I was delivering a pound of gold to each of the children…their reactions were all so wonderful! Each child cradled their clay with love!” Participants also have contributed by responding to surveys and attending Zoom check-ins. The digital transition of recreation programming has truly been a collaboration.
Visual arts programs will be available this summer in acrylic painting, watercolor, drawing, printmaking, polymer clay, ceramic handbuilding, ceramic sculpture and mudcloth painting. A new sewing and textile series draws its inspiration from a variety of international needlecraft traditions. Plein Air Painting will guide students in the creation of art outdoors. Several programs will be available with Racquel Keller, an artist in residence at the Community Center. One of her spring students commented: “Racquel is a masterful and relaxed teacher. Each us was able to learn at our own level. The lessons were aimed at beginners, but with plenty of content applicability to folks at all levels. I am particularly pleased to be able to, in these few short lessons, look differently and apply that to drawing and other reasons for looking!”
Dance programs will be available across the full normal range of disciplines. These include ballet, hip hop, contemporary, jazz and tap along with interdisciplinary, story-based programs for young movers. A pre-school, parent/child music series will introduce different instruments each week and ukulele instruction will continue with instructor Rachel Cross. Spring “uke” student Tammy Hurley said, “Seeing the faces of my classmates and spending time with them was something I was missing. Greenbelt Community Center made that happen.” Fellow student Sally Davies commented, “it really lifts my spirits to join everyone strumming their uke and to play joyful music with the group each week!”
An anonymous spring Pre-School Art parent shared on their course evaluation, “I think you are doing a wonderful job adapting to this insane new environment and I really appreciate all you are doing. Greenbelt Rec is the best around. Thank you.” Recreation staff are uplifted by patrons’ kind words of encouragement, grateful for the opportunity to serve and looking forward to a rich summer session.
