By Emma Keilbey

Although it is not a widely recognized program, for 11 years "Wildcat Art" has helped young students bring their art fantasies and imagination to life.

Wildcat Art is a non-profit community art program for children in kindergarten through 12th grade. UA students from the Art Education Department who are studying to be art teachers lead the classes.

The program focuses on exploring and teaching art and visual culture, art production and art making.

Dr. G.E. Washington, who recently came to the UA from the University of Illinois at Chicago, is in his first year directing the program.

"Wildcat Art is such an important program because Tucson schools provide very few opportunities for kids to receive guidance and support for art making," Washington said. "We need to help children's dreams come to life with art, and that is what Wildcat Art is all about."

This spring, Washington expects about 80 children to enroll in the program. Classes began Feb. 24 and end Apr. 28. The classes are every Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., Washington said.

Every spring, the teachers vote on a theme for the student's art projects to revolve around and this year the theme is identity, Washington said.

Within the theme, the teachers produce a wide variety of projects and lesson plans for the students to not only enjoy and experiment with, but also to learn from, Washington said.

Last year, such projects included a photo mosaic, "taped in/taped out" where the children created giant tape balls they could physically climb into, and portfolios with high school students called "what means the most to me," Washington said.

Katie Ackermann, a student on the public relations and marketing committee of Wildcat Art, said the program is a great way to reach out to the community as well as a place for children with similar interests to meet.

"This year we really want to focus on bringing more high school children to the program," Ackermann said. "The program mostly consists of younger children, but we want to encourage high school students to join so that we can help mentor them with their portfolios."

Wildcat Art also gives scholarships to low-income children and is "pretty flexible" when it comes to deciding who gets the scholarships, Ackermann said.

The cost to enroll a child in the program is $90. If a low-income child is awarded a scholarship, Wildcat Art will give a 50 percent discount, Washington said.

Candy Carol, a UA alumna, happened to stumble upon the program six years ago when her daughter, Cheyenne Carol, was in first grade. Cheyenne is now 12 and is still extremely enthusiastic about taking the class.

"She loves to sketch, draw and paint," Carol said. "Cheyenne's favorite project by far was last year when the students got to draw with chocolate."
Beth Judd also has a nine-year-old daughter enrolled for her fourth year at Wildcat Art.

"Through this program, my daughter Jackie has blossomed," Judd said. "She has acquired creative abilities she never had before and her confidence level has significantly increased."

Judd also said that because of the exposure to the UA campus, Jackie is more comfortable and prepared for the future when she eventually goes to college.

But what Judd particularly likes about Wildcat Art:

"Saturday morning breakfast with my husband! It's a nice little break we have," she said.