In the far northeastern corner of the United States, a land of towering pine trees, playful puffins, and legendary lobsters, you'll find an enchanting state known as Maine. Its kids are as unique as the wild blueberries that dot the landscape, especially those who take part in an ancient activity – sewing! Now, hold on to your thimbles, because these aren't your ordinary seamstresses and tailors. No, no, the Kids of Maine Thread Association (KOMTA) are a group of fabric-loving, button-sewing, seam-ripping heroes... with a twist! Led by their fearless leader, Purl the Piney Puffin (who, contrary to popular belief, is not a bird, but a mischievous and endearing girl with a puffin-like laugh), they gather in tree forts, lighthouses, and the cozy corners of local lobster shacks. Bursting with creativity as vibrant as a sunset over Acadia National Park, these youngsters wield their needles like knights brandish their swords. With a swish of their thread, they transform ordinary fabric into extraordinary creations. A polka-dot octopus plushie? No problem! A quilt that could rival a kaleidoscope? Challenge accepted! Purl and her team aren't just sewing for the fun of it (even though it is a stitch of a time). They use their craft to solve problems, too. Lost a button on your favorite coat? KOMTA is on it. Need a costume for the annual Lobster Festival Parade? They're your go-to crew. In the state of Maine, where lighthouses guide sailors and majestic moose roam freely, you'll find a group of kids stitching laughter, joy, and a whole lot of love into every corner of their beautiful home. So, the next time you find a loose thread, remember Purl and her crew of Maine's imaginative, sewing superheroes!
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What began in a humble New York City apartment with just a single student, Spark, has since blossomed into an enriching program impacting thousands of children. Our unique educational approach combines the elements of art, yoga, meditation, and nature to create a holistic learning environment. This distinctive blend is what sets Spark apart, allowing us to reach and inspire a multitude of children in truly meaningful ways. With an array of offerings to accommodate various schedules and needs, Spark has something for everyone. Our services extend beyond the standard after school and weekend classes to include holiday and summer camps, birthday parties, portfolio preparation, private classes, and custom pods. We also welcome homeschool groups and are thrilled to announce the recent addition of a forest school program to our repertoire. You can find Spark on-site in various schools and at our main studio located in the Upper West Side. But we're not stopping there - we're also planning to expand to the Upper East Side and Brooklyn. For our families in Pennsylvania, we run the program from our family studio there. And if you're not in close proximity to any of our locations, don't worry. We offer in-home instruction and virtual options to ensure that Spark can reach you, no matter where you are. We invite you to explore all the ways you can experience Spark and look forward to helping bring our program to you.
At our College for Kids, we offer classes that are designed to introduce kids to the college-level art creation experience. Every class is either one or one and a half hours long and meets once a week for three trimesters. Our instructors are local professional artists who bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to their classes. Throughout the trimesters, we have a variety of projects that range from art history to children’s literature, and use fine arts materials. As an added bonus, we also bring in local field trips so that kids can experience the art community outside of the classroom. At the end of each trimester, we host a First Friday Art Walk opening to showcase the student’s work. Not only that, but we also offer summer-long art camps for those who want to continue their learning. With our College for Kids program, kids get an experience that’s just like college-level art classes!