Charis on the Square Art Exhibit at Art on the Square Gallery

420 Nexton Square Drive, Summerville, SC

Friday, May 8 to Sunday May 17. 

Public Reception with the Artists  4 p.m. – 7 p.m. on Friday, May 8 at the Gallery

Art on the Square Gallery and the students of Charis Academy present the school’s first public art exhibit, Charis on the Square.

Charis Academy is a South Carolina Independent School Association accredited school designed to meet the needs of the different learner, including but not limited to, children living with mild Autism, ADHD or other similar educational challenges.   Their focus is to unlock each student’s academic, creative, and social potential.

The Academy is finishing out their fourth school year which was inaugurated in their new location on the campus of Risen Hope Church in Sangaree. Currently there are 18 students, ranging from 3^rd to 9^th grade.

Charis Academy is a collaborative educational environment which embraces diversity and optimizes strengths through an intentional academic program specifically designed for children on the spectrum using ABA principles and an individuallized multi-sensory curriculum.

This school year, the students in Art Education have explored mediums ranging from paper collage to acrylic paint, oil pastels, graphite and ink, watercolor and paper mache. They have learned about artists ranging from Vincent Van Gogh and Jackson Pollack to Aaron Douglas, Bob Ross and Banksy.

The most recent project involves a paper mache elephant, which started with the student’s building a cardboard “skeleton” and slowly creating the body with paper and lots of masking tape. The last steps involved several layers of paper mache. The students will soon paint and seal their elephants.

“We love making art, and it’s such a joy to see young artists developing their skills, expressing themselves and just having fun with the materials!  We’re happy to show their work in our gallery,” says Renee Bruce, exhibit coordinator and gallery co-owner.

For more information about Charis Academy visit their website: www.charisacademysc.org