Kids, teens and adults interested in learning more about art, look no further.
Starting this September, Oxford Parks and Recreation will begin their enrichment programs, giving the community an opportunity to join extra-curriculur classes.
Oxford resident and 1991 Oxford High School grad Jennifer Chammas, 32, will be teaching six classes in the art field for kids and adults to enjoy.
Chammas, a University of Michigan-Flint student, is working on a photography and art history degree as well as a visual art education and English degree. She also has an associates degree from Mott Community College.
Chammas will teach drawing, watercolor, photography for teens and adults, how to make holiday ornaments and a special Harry Potter-themed Halloween party.
She’s taught at Brandon’s adult and youth enrichment programs for three years and decided to give Oxford and Clarkston a try this year.
‘I was trying to think of something for the kids that maybe don’t have the athletic ability in them or they don’t feel like they belong to any club in school,? she said.
Chammas decided to go to college when she was 25 because she realized she couldn’t keep working minimum wage jobs.
‘I was a pretty lost soul for a while and art pretty much saved me,? she said. ‘I know that sounds cliche, but it’s the absolute, honest to God truth.?
She decided to try a photography class while she was at community college and said she was hooked from then on.
‘I just knew maybe like a month into into it, it was just something in me that said it was my passion in life and it’s what I wanted to do,? she said.
Chammas is excited to teach kids to love art because she thinks ‘it’s important for kids to find a group (where) they can meet other people with the same interests.?
Art lovers will meet at various schools in the Oxford area for the classes and all supplies, except a camera, are included in the cost of the class.
Although Chammas said she loves drawing, painting and photography, the latter is her forte.
‘I like to capture the innocence of something like in photojournalism,? she said.
She has been selected to be in juried student art shows on campus every year she’s been there and even has one of her photos published.
Photographer’s Forum, a large photography magazine, puts out a book called The Best of College Photography each year. Chammas was selected along with 29,999 others to be published in this years book.
‘It’s tiny, but I’m in the book!? she said smiling.
Chammas develops all of her own film and has been eager to get her homemade darkroom and art studio finished.
She needs plumbing for the darkroom and quality lights put up in her drawing room.
She’s willing to ‘barter? her photography skills for anyone who could help her out.
Chammas said her main goal in teaching these art classes is to reach out to kids by having them ‘reach inside their soul and find the little artist in them.?
‘If I would’ve had somebody do that for me when I was in school, I wouldn’t have had so many wondering years after high school. I really believe that art feeds the soul,? she said.
Chammas is looking for an art-loving middle or high school student willing to assist her in the classes.
The Creative Minds Art Club 1 for grades two through five drawing class costs $45 ($35 for Oxford residents) and meets every Wednesday from 4-5 pm. starting September 21through October 5 at Lakeville Elementary.
In the Creative Minds Art Club 2, Chammas will cover basic watercolor painting.
This class is also $45 ($35 for Oxford residents) and meets Wednesdays from 4-5 p.m. starting October 26 through November 9 at Lakeville Elementary.
Kids in grades six through 8 will enjoy the Photography for Teens class offered every Wednesday from 2:45-3:45 p.m. at Oxford Middle School. Classes begin September 21 through October 5 and costs $30 ($25 for Oxford residents).
For kids ages 16 to adult, the Photography 1 class will be held every Wednesday from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Oxford High School starting September 21-October 12. Cost is $60 ($50 for Oxford residents).
Hogwart’s Halloween Party for grades two through six will meet on Friday, October 28 from 6-7:30 p.m. at Lakeville Elementary. Come dressed in your most creative Hogwarts costume to win a special prize. Cost is $28 ($23 for Oxford residents).
The Holiday Crafts and Treats class for kindergarten through fifth grade will meet on Wednesday, December 7 from 4-5:30 p.m. at Lakeville Elementary. Cost is $25 ($20 for Oxford residents).
For more information or to check out other classes available, visit www.oxparkrec.org or call (248) 628-1720.