ORONO – The University of Maine Department of Art is accepting applications for the after-school ArtWorks! Program.

As it has for more than 30 years, UMaine’s Art Education Program will offer the program for students in grades K–8. ArtWorks! provides children an opportunity to explore the world of art through hands-on experiences with a variety of visual media, the history of art, and the viewing of artworks.

The spring ArtWorks! session will run five consecutive weeks with classes held 3:30–5 p.m. Fridays in Lord Hall on the UMaine campus. Classes begin April 1 and continue through April 29.

The classes are organized by grade level and are taught by art education majors who are preparing to become art teachers. The program is supervised by Laurie Hicks, a UMaine art professor.

Participants will be able to work with diverse media as they explore the ways in which experiences with art help encourage creative expression, manipulative skills, as well as ways of seeing and understanding the visual world. This semester, students will consider and make art as a means of envisioning the nature of imaginary places.

A $25 fee covers the cost of materials. The program is offered on a first come, first served basis. Applications are available through the Department of Art and are due Feb. 22.

For more information or an application, contact Hicks at 581-3247 or laurie.hicks@umit.maine.edu. Lord Hall is wheelchair accessible.