Embracing Creativity, Community, and Growth at Art Sphere
Dear ASI Community,
As we welcome the vibrant season of Spring, we’re excited to share some of the dynamic and innovative ways our 2025 arts curriculum is enriching the learning experiences of students across multiple disciplines. From Literacy and Music to Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), STEAM, and Student Service Learning (SSL), our programs are designed to engage students’ senses and inspire creativity in unforgettable ways.
Warm regards,
Kristin and the Art Sphere Team
How you can make a difference
It’s wonderful to share the impactful work that Art Sphere Inc. is doing to provide free art programs and resources to the community, especially during a time when such opportunities may be limited. Supporting organizations like ours is crucial for the well-being and development of children and families.
For those looking to make a difference and contribute to Art Sphere Inc.’s mission, here are some ways to help:
1. Spread the Word: Share Art Sphere Inc.’s mission and initiatives with your friends, family, and social networks. Word of mouth can be a powerful tool in raising awareness. Engage with Art Sphere Inc. on social media platforms. Like, share, and comment on our posts to help broaden our reach.
2. Donate: Consider making a donation to Art Sphere Inc. Every contribution, no matter the size, can make a meaningful impact.
3. Volunteer: If possible, offer your time and skills to support Art Sphere Inc.’s programs. Volunteers can play a vital role in helping with classes, workshops, and events.
4. Corporate Sponsorship: Explore partnerships with local businesses or corporations that may be interested in supporting community initiatives. Corporate sponsorships can provide additional resources and visibility.
Remember, every little bit helps, and collective efforts can lead to positive change.
We’re thrilled to share a new set of spring-themed handouts that are perfect for celebrating the season with your students or children. Whether at home or in the classroom, these handouts provide engaging and hands-on activities that tap into students’ creativity. Here’s a sneak peek at what we’re offering this spring:
These projects not only bring the beauty of spring to life but also encourage exploration, self-expression, and connection to the world around us.
Spotlight on Literacy through Art Programs
Our Literacy through Art programs continue to make significant strides in improving students’ reading, writing, and verbal communication skills. We combine creativity with academic rigor to ensure that learning is both fun and effective.
Some of our exciting projects include:
Creative Journals: Students make beautifully designed journals, using marbleized paper and fun writing tools like mechanical pencils, gel pens, and bendy pretzel pencils.
Reading Aloud & Peer Interviews: To make reading more interactive, students interview each other and present their findings to the class, strengthening their speaking and listening skills.
In addition to boosting literacy, we are helping students prepare for future careers. Our exploration of durable skills (such as adaptability, collaboration, and communication) has empowered students to think critically about their educational and career paths. This program aligns with the growing demand for durable skills in future job markets.
SEL & Sensory Tools: Helping Students Thrive
One of the highlights of this spring has been watching students engage in our Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) programs through art. We’ve been using a variety of sensory tools to help students calm their minds and focus on learning. From stress balls and sensory bottles to slime-making and textured fabric projects, these hands-on activities have allowed students to relax and express themselves in meaningful ways.
One particularly fun activity this season has been making slime. The tactile experience of kneading ingredients together has proven to be a surprisingly effective way to help students feel more relaxed and confident, especially when reading aloud in front of the class. As one student put it, “It’s infinitely rewarding!”
It’s amazing to see how small, simple activities like these can have such a big impact on students’ well-being and confidence.
Students made friendship bracelets with cardboard looms, wrote about the qualities they like in friends and made cards showing appreciation for their best friends.
Student Service Learning: Art with a Purpose
Our Student Service Learning (SSL) Art Projects have been truly inspiring this spring. Students have been using their creative talents to raise awareness for causes they care about. One such project is Cartooning for a Cause, where students created public awareness posters and participated in initiatives like the Duck Stamp contest, using art to advocate for environmental preservation.
These projects don’t just teach artistic skills—they give students a voice and purpose. It’s wonderful to see how our students are becoming active change-makers in their communities.
Website & Social Media Updates: A Year of Tradition and Learning
Get ready to celebrate Pennsylvania’s 250th anniversary with us! Check out our ever growing new resources on our website about PA and Philadelphia. Read our press release here.
In January, our students learned about various cultural traditions, including celebrating Lunar New Year with the book Tomorrow is New Year’s Day by Aram Kim. We also explored the Chinese zodiac and celebrated the Year of the Snake with a series of creative snake-themed projects.
Stay tuned for more exciting updates and project highlights on our website and social media platforms. Follow us for the latest updates on class schedules, new handouts, and behind-the-scenes looks at our programs in action.
Celebrating Black Musicians and Music
Our talented high school students took to the stage, performing for their classes and sharing the joy of music with others! Many of our younger students had never even touched a musical instrument before, yet they dove into learning the parts of the violin, the basics of playing, and the Black violinist George Bridgewater. The excitement was contagious as they felt the vibration of the strings and discovered the beauty of string instruments. It was a truly inspiring violin experience for all!
Students studied guitars coloring handouts and learned about the parts of a guitar, made large paper guitars and listened to different guitar music, and read about the childhood of Jimi Hendrix and listened to his music.
“Hi! My name is Sylvania Peng, a visual art teacher at Art Sphere Inc. I have been working on a 12-week lesson plan to celebrate Chinese New Year. Each week features a different zodiac animal to paint and the class will finish with a full collection of postcards. 2025 is the year of the Snake, a time for wisdom, transformation, and personal growth!”
Teacher Team
“Working at Art Sphere Inc. has been an incredibly rewarding experience. I deeply appreciate the opportunity to contribute to an organization that does so much good, particularly in bringing arts education to children who might not otherwise have access. Through my time here, I’ve gained valuable insights into how nonprofits operate, the challenges they face, and the impactful ways technology can support their missions.
One of the most fulfilling aspects of my role has been adapting AI to facilitate workflows, making our processes more efficient so we can focus on what truly matters—empowering young minds through art. I’ve also spent a significant amount of time documenting instructional manuals to ensure that our teams have clear, accessible resources to streamline their work. Seeing how these efforts contribute to the organization’s success and the children’s learning experience has been truly gratifying.”
IT Team
“It’s been really fun volunteering for ASI! Over the past months I’ve gotten valuable experience working with others to provide IT tech support, and as a music student in college, I find ASI’s commitment to making arts education accessible to young people is very important. I look forward to continuing to work with ASI in the future!”
IT Team
“As an editor with the writing team, I have enjoyed combining my love of the written word with my passion for fine arts education. I grew up in a family that placed a high value on the arts and I am thrilled to share my skills in making fine arts education more accessible to everyone.”
Writer Team
“I love volunteering with Art Sphere Inc. because not only do I feel like I’m making a difference by proofreading articles, lessons and blog posts to ensure they’re correct and readable for our young audience, but I’m also learning right along with the kids about different cultures, music, art, origami, etc. It’s important to me to keep growing and never stop learning.”
Grant Writer Team
Get Involved: Volunteer and Make an Impact
Looking for ways to get involved? Whether you have a passion for music, a love for the arts, or want to support high school students in earning community service hours, there are plenty of opportunities to contribute to ASI.
We invite individuals and groups to assist with our music instrument lessons and help us build our resource pages. Volunteering is a great way to make a tangible impact in our community, and it’s easy to get started through our app. Download it to sign up for research opportunities and volunteer hours.
We want to thank our volunteers who, through Global Citizen, helped us test our app and research musical instruments. We especially want to thank the members of organizations PWPVideo and National Health Corps: Community Health Fellowship, who volunteered and helped us make music posts for 23 instruments on Dr. Martin Luther King’s Day of Service.
None of this would be possible without the help of our incredible volunteers, interns, and community partners. From the full-stack developers who have been working on our new arts education app to our amazing interns from Sinclair College, we are so grateful for the talent and dedication they bring to our work. Their contributions are making a huge difference in how we connect with students and families, and we couldn’t be more thankful.
Through programs like the MLK Day of Service and our ongoing partnerships with organizations like YSA Youth Service America, we are continually expanding our reach and impact. Art Sphere is proud to provide unique opportunities that empower students and foster community connections. For one of our Youth Service Projects, our students made Valentines for Senior Citizens of the Lutheran Settlement House.
Thank you for your continued support of our mission. Together, we can continue to inspire the next generation through the power of art.
Our staff has learned so much from taking a course on Student Service-learning at the Arizona State University’s Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College made available by Youth Service America and the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation.
Art Sphere Inc. would like to thank the AERIE REAL FOUNDATION™ COMMUNITY GRANT, Hamilton Family Charitable Trust, Philadelphia Cultural Fund, Read By 4th, Philly Book Bank, First Book, The Presser Foundation, Penn Treaty Special Services District, Rosenlund Family Foundation and our other supporters for all of their support!
Thank you for your unwavering support and commitment to our mission. Together, we can inspire the next generation through the power of the arts.
With gratitude,
The Art Sphere Team
Website: ArtSphere.org | Email: info@artsphere.org
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