The House that Art Built is offering a five-week intensive art programme at its new studio.

Art teacher of both Somerset Primary and Port Royal School and art therapist, Richelle Richards, is offering the classes, which will begin on June 30 and run until August 8.

Miss Richards told The Royal Gazette that she had carried out the summer programmes at Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art for four years during her summer breaks from university before deciding to branch out on her own with The House that Art Built. "I am grateful to Masterworks for the experience, because it helped me to plan a complete and effective programme," she said, "And with that and teaching, I have decided that I would go out on my own."

The classes have been specifically developed for the restoration and or continuation of artistic adventures, she said.

"This carefully designed programme combines a mixture of studio and informative workshops, which allow each participant an integrated experience of art and self."

Some of the artistic applications that will be featured during the programme involve: drawing and coloured pencil, painting acrylic and watercolours, sculpture execution and many more.

"To ensure that participants receive the best experience possible space is limited offering the opportunity for individual instruction," Miss Richards added.

Encouraging parents and guardians to take advantage of the entire programme, she said: "Although it is not necessary for participants to take part in the entire season, your child would benefit a great deal by being a part of the complete programme, seeing as the programme is designed so that each week is a progression to facilitating the primary goal of the programme's mission."

The classes are for children between the ages of five and 12.

Classes are $165 per week, $600 for the five-week programme and additional siblings are $75 per week. Registration fees include all materials and supplies, daily fruit and snack and the Friday BBQ lunch.

Free registration deadline is on the June 14, as she is only taking 15 children per week.

The studio is located on 21 Daisyfield Drive, Sandys. For more information telephone 234-1547 or 518-4466 or e-mail ArtsBda@gmail.com or visit www.richellerichards.com.