ANDRUS Partners With ArtsWestchester to Provide Art Classes at Early Learning Center

TUCKAHOE, N.Y. (November 6, 2013) - Art has traditionally been an important part of early childhood programs to help children develop their cognitive, social and motor abilities. The ANDRUS Early Learning Center (AELC) in Tuckahoe has put its focus on arts education by partnering with ArtsWestchester to provide unique art classes. Teaching artist Ann Ladd, a professional muralist and surface painter from ArtsWestchester, recently spent time at the AELC to create murals with the children.  ANDRUS is the only school in the area that offers exposure to these unique crafts and activities to children at such a young age.

“We are pleased to be partnering with the Andrus Early Learning Center in Tuckahoe to bring the arts to pre-school children,” said Janet Langsam, CEO, ArtsWestchester. “Our artist residency program assists students in developing multiple learning areas thus increasing their chances for personal and social success.” 

Ladd visited the AELC twice a week to run 2 ½ hour classes. During the first session, the artist met with teachers and staff to discuss what the overall objective would be throughout the workshop. As a team it was decided that the development of the mural would include lessons to help the kids learn how to take direction, improve their motor skills, work together as a team, share and respect one another.

The children each created a mural of an animal that represents the classroom names at the AELC, including a bumble bee, lady bug, turtle, seahorse, tiger, caterpillar, pony, kangaroo and monkey. Using these pieces of art, Ladd created beautiful murals that now adorn the walls outside of each classroom.

The Carter Arts Wing – a space dedicated solely to the arts – has a light-filled studio and theater, where children can begin to develop an early connection to the arts. This is where Ladd’s art lessons took place. In addition to the ArtsWestchester lessons, the Carter Arts Wing has many guest instructors that host special workshops and programs.

“We’re lucky to receive a grant from ArtsWestchester for such a unique program,” said Vidia Cordero, AELC Director. “We strive to give the best to the children at the ANDRUS Early Learning Center and we’re thrilled that we can provide young children with art, which is both fun and educationally stimulating.”

Ladd has been a professional muralist, surface painter and teacher for the past 25 years.  She recently volunteered her art teaching skills to several hundred Thai orphans in Bang Sak, Thailand. Her painted murals can be seen at the Thayer Hotel at West Point, the JCC in Scarsdale, the Restaurant Nicole Paone in Manhattan and at Westchester Medical CT. Ladd teaches weekly drawing, painting and recycled sculpture classes at The Rye Art Center.

About ANDRUS

ANDRUS provides a broad range of social services for families and children through research, training and innovative programs. Founded in 1928, ANDRUS today is a family-centered organization offering an array of innovative programs to help children, families and communities meet their full potential.  Based in Yonkers, N.Y. ANDRUS operates 14 locations in Westchester County. ANDRUS also operates the Andrus Center for Learning and Innovation and the Sanctuary Institute, which has provided training and consultation to close to 300 organizations worldwide in the use of a trauma-sensitive model for treatment.