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ART CLASSES
Youth & Teen Art Classes
Join us for youth and teen art classes designed to foster creativity and self-expression. Students have the opportunity to explore a range of media in a supportive environment where the experience is as important as the finished product. Classes are available for ages 5 through teen, with beginner through advanced programs.
Adult Art Classes
Explore art at any age with our classes for adults! Join us for a short workshop or an 8-week class as you explore your artistic potential in a creative and supportive environment where the experience is as important as the finished product. For artists of all experience levels from beginner through advanced, CREATE offers something for everyone.
No School Day Camp
CREATE offers camps on days throughout the year when school is closed, such as Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Veterans Day, teacher conference days, spring break, winter break, and February break. Calendars align with MCPS and DCPS schedules and also include local private schools. Don’t see a date? Contact us to create a camp.
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
Art Therapy
CREATE’s licensed art therapists provide confidential and compassionate support to children, teens and adults living with mental health issues, including grief, depression, trauma and addictions, as well as developmental disabilities and autism. No prior art experience needed to benefit from our treatment programs. We offer individual and group therapy for all ages.
Camp CREATE!
Camp CREATE! is a summer camp for youth ages 8-12 years with minor to moderate behavioral, emotional and functioning differences who benefit from extra attention and support. It is designed to teach campers mindfulness techniques, flexible thinking habits, healthy expression of emotions, improved social interactions, and positive self-image through artistic expression.
smARTkids Afterschool
CREATE’s smARTkids free afterschool program helps young students from low-income schools, English learners with emotional or developmental challenges, who benefit from a curriculum that builds critical thinking skills, resilience, peer skills, language and literacy skills in a highly supported setting. Since 2009, smARTkids has benefitted over 1,200 young students.
COMMUNITY IMPACT
Partnerships & Impact
CREATE works with diverse and non-traditional partners across our mental health services and art education programs, including Community Bridges, Shepherd’s Table, A Wider Circle, Montgomery County Public Schools, Linkages to Learning, YMCA, & other nonprofits and businesses.
Corporate Events
Art is the perfect inspiration for engaging and fun events. From workplace team building to unicorn birthday parties, we will customize your event to optimize fun, inspire creativity and promote bonding.
Art Gallery
Named after CREATE’s founder, the Tamar Hendel Gallery hosts art exhibitions, receptions and artist talks featuring unique artwork from diverse local artists. Exhibitions are held throughout the year and are free to the public.
CREATE ARTS CENTER NEWS
Celebrating 20 Years of Creative Healing: The Studio Group Program at CREATE Arts Center!
In the heart of CREATE Arts Center's rich history, a program named "Studio" has been quietly weaving a tapestry of healing and creativity for the past two decades. Known initially as Studio Downstairs, this initiative took root in 2003 under the visionary guidance of...
Join us for the opening reception of “Porch Portraits,” a solo photography exhibition by Chris Barclay!
Join us for the opening reception of “Porch Portraits,” a solo photography exhibition by Chris Barclay in the Tamar Hendel Gallery on Saturday, October 14 through November 18, 2023. An Opening Reception will be on Saturday, October 14, from 12 – 2 pm. Go to learn more...
Join us for the opening reception of “Ali Khaki: Luminous Heights” a solo painting exhibition by Ali Khaki in the Tamar Hendel Gallery on May 20, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. The exhibition will be on view at CREATE Arts Center until June 10, 2023!
“Ali Khaki: Luminous Heights” is a culmination of Ali Khaki’s body of work created over 10 years that has functioned as a means of connection and communication after immigrating from Iran. Ali Khaki is an Iranian 80-year-old artist whose lifelong passion for art...
Art Classes in Silver Spring, MD
CREATE achieves its mission through quality arts education classes that engage all ages and levels of experience in the joy of art-making. We recognize all forms of creativity and diversity in artistic expression. CREATE is committed to broad-based, inclusive partnerships that help to inform our programming and decision-making so that we can better serve the needs of our very diverse community. We believe that inclusion and equity in access to the many benefits of CREATE’s art education and mental health programs enrich people’s lives, strengthen families and build sustainable community connections.
