Since its inception 25 years ago, the Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation has offered a free art program for children in Vicksburg and Warren County.

Geared toward students who are in the first through sixth grade, the River Kids Free After School Art Program encourages children to discover and develop their creative talents.

“This is done by exposing their creativity through drawing, painting, crafts, collage, ceramics, sculpture and many more exciting techniques,” SCHF Executive Director Stacey Mahoney said.

The art program is offered for 13-weeks during a fall semester and then again for a spring semester.

Registration is currently underway for the spring semester, Mahoney said, with a few spots still available.

Each semester, the River Kids Free After School Art Program accepts 60 students on a first-come, first-served basis with the 2020 spring semester beginning Jan. 30 at the SCHC, 1302 Adams St.

Students will meet on Thursdays from 3:45 p.m. to 5 p.m.

While the program is free, Mahoney said, it does require a full semester commitment from the parents.

Serving as instructors for the art program are Karen Biedenharn and Ashleigh Holliday.

“Karen is so familiar with the program since she has been involved since it started,” Mahoney said.

The River Kids Free After School Art Program is supported in part by funding from the Mississippi Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts. The program also receives funding from the Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation’s individual and corporate members, the city of Vicksburg and various other appropriations.

“We credit these groups for their support, which allows us to offer the program free,” Mahoney said. “Their ongoing support is so important, she said, since it defrays the cost of teacher salaries and supplies.”

For more information or to register, call 601-631-2997 or email info@southernculture.org.