The Arts Council of Moore County announces a newly created after-school visual art program for Moore County children ages 8-18.

The name of the new program is "ArtSmart," and the center will be located at 130 W. Pennsylvania Ave. in the Belvedere Plaza in downtown Southern Pines.

The ArtSmart program will be a series of after-school art classes with the goal to help all children find their creative voice through visual art by providing quality, comprehensive art instruction.

No prior art education is required to enroll in the classes, which will be categorized by age, and the subject matter will be tailored accordingly.

ArtSmart seeks to develop the creativity of young artists by introducing new mediums, team collaboration and enhanced problem solving skills in a fun, stress-free atmosphere. ArtSmart's small class size, coupled with targeted age groups, allows the instructors more opportunity to tailor their lessons to the various skill levels of each student.

ArtSmart will offer classes Monday through Friday from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. in such subjects as drawing, painting, sculpture and various other mediums. The classes will meet one day per week for six weeks, allowing instructors the opportunity to plan lessons with ongoing projects.

The first six-week session of ArtSmart will begin Monday, Jan. 11, with the following schedule: Mondays, ages 8-9; Tuesdays, ages 10-11; Wednesdays, ages 12-13; and Thursday, ages 14-18.

Cost for a six week course is $90 for Arts Council members and $100 for nonmembers, which includes teacher instruction and all art supplies. Students will only need to bring is a snack (if desired), enthusiasm and their own creativity.

Instructors for the first session of ArtSmart classes will be Jean Skipper, Bob Way and Kim Sobat, who is also the ArtSmart director. Jean Skipper is the owner of Artist Alley in downtown Southern Pines. She is a self-taught, mixed media artist who works primarily in metalwork.

Bob Way is a local artist and art instructor with 15 years of experience in elementary school art instruction, and he also teaches art to adults at his Pinehurst studio. Way works in many mediums, but specializes in portraiture.

ArtSmart director Kim Sobat is also a local artist and the former owner of Vineland Fine Art Gallery. Sobat works primarily in oils and acrylics and her paintings are contemporary in style and subject matter. She has a background in working with urban teens in downtown Indianapolis which sparked her interest in an art program for Moore County children, such as ArtSmart.

ArtSmart is also looking for additional art instructors for future classes, classroom volunteers, and anyone interested in sponsoring a student for an ArtSmart class.

"Please contact Kim if you are interested in joining the ArtSmart team," says a spokesman.

For additional information on ArtSmart or to register a child for classes, visit the Arts Council's Web site at www.mooreart.org to download a registration form, or contact Kim Sobat at (910) 684-0257 or artsmart@mooreart.org.

Registration forms will also be available at the ArtSmart center and Campbell House (482 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines).