COCAedu engages students, inspires teachers, and demonstrates the power of the arts to bridge barriers through programs in classrooms across the St. Louis region.
This fall, COCAedu engaged in arts activities at BELIEVE Academy, Central Institute for the Deaf, Herbert Hoover Boys & Girls Club, among many others.
BELIEVE Academy
BELIEVE Academy is a St. Louis school that focuses on early college access, career pathways, and community partnerships that empower students to pursue college and career success with confidence.
BELIEVE students participated in COCA’s arts programming that supported creativity, leadership, and self-expression through Drawing and Painting with glyneisha johnson and 3-D Sculpture and Ceramics with Lillie Roever.
“COCA brings high-quality arts programming that is culturally responsive, engaging, and transformative. Their teaching artists honor our students’ voices and identities and create spaces where students feel seen, inspired, and challenged,” said BELIEVE Principal, Jawn Dixon.
Central Institute for the Deaf
Global Art Explorer and Colorful World were COCA classes offered in collaboration with the Central Institute for the Deaf during Fall and Winter.
Global Art Explorer, led by Teaching Artist Valeria Rodriguez, for students ages 6–8, focused on exploring global and local artists through drawing, painting, and sculpture.
Colorful World, led by Teaching Artist Janessa Williams, for students ages 9–12, focused on exploring color through hands-on visual art projects including drawing, painting, canvas making, and sculpture.
Herbert Hoover Boys & Girls Club
Young Artist Studio was offered at Highland Elementary at the Herbert Hoover Club during Fall and Spring, in collaboration with Teaching Artist Valeria Rodriguez.
Students in grades 1–3 worked on a mural project focused on redesigning the cement parking barricades at the site. The program introduced basic art elements including line, shape, value, texture, pattern, space, and color. Students created lasting artworks that are displayed inside and outside the Boys and Girls Clubs.
