Summer arts activities available to teens

June 4, 2008
By PAT O'BRIEN
The Press-Enterprise

o need for teens to be bored this summer. Almost every community has cultural activities available. Here is a sampling:

When Harvard professor John Stilgoe wrote "Outside Lies Magic," he challenged people to explore the ordinary world and see it with new perspective. Teens in Riverside will photograph and write about what they find in "How I See It."

Stilgoe's book is the basis of a California Council for the Humanities project that has given grants to 21 libraries, including the Riverside Public Library.

"It's going to be phenomenal to get on record the downtown -- what the teens see, what they are going to find, what magic is there," said Alicia Doktor, teen program coordinator for the library. "You can find magic in your life if you just stop and ask why, just take time to slow down and look around."

The library was granted five cameras, a laptop with Adobe Photoshop, a printer and $1,000 for expenses. Doktor expects 10 to 20 teenagers to take part each week of the 10-week project. The UCR/California Museum of Photography Digital Studio and the Inlandia Institute will assist.

The project, for ages 13-18, runs June 16 to Aug. 19. It is free. To register call Doktor at 951-826-5661, the children's room at 951-826-5369 or Reggie Woolery, 951-827-4796.

Another free program, MyGlobalVillage, is at the museum's digital studio. Films about youth and human rights issues will be screened and followed by a collaborative response -- a photo essay, video documentary or something else. Teens must have a recommendation from a teacher, counselor, parent or guardian. Three sessions: July 7-18, July 21-Aug. 1 and Aug. 4-15. Call 951-827-4796. Application deadline is June 20.

On the financial high end, summer programs for ages 13-18 at Idyllwild Arts average about $2,350 for two weeks' tuition, room and board. But Steven Fraider, vice president of Idyllwild Arts and director of the summer program, said there is a way for anyone to come.

"Some have had many opportunities in life, but we also have a large program of financial aid," he said. "A lot could not come to Idyllwild without financial aid. It opens their eyes to a whole new world, that there are lots of possibilities."

The classes are wide-ranging, including screenwriting, animation, acting for camera, ceramics, jewelry-making and much more.

"We think the experience of doing anything intensively is worthwhile," Fraider said.

The students mingle with others in arts and go to exhibitions, readings and performances. "They come away much more thoughtful and enlightened sorts of people," Fraider said Information: www.idyllwildarts.org.

# # #