Celebrating 3 Years of Creativity with ODU’s Young Artist Studio Series
- artfullyyoursfund
- Sep 30
- 3 min read
The Melinda Vooss Artfully Yours Foundation is proud to celebrate our third year of partnership with Old Dominion University’s Art Education Program to support the Young Artist Studio Series (YASS).
Our foundation exists to carry forward Melinda’s belief that art has the power to transform lives. YASS reflects that mission perfectly: each program offers young people the chance to explore different art forms and develop their creative skills under the guidance of ODU Art Education seniors as they enter their preservice teaching semester. This partnership not only inspires the next generation of artists, but also prepares the next generation of arts educators.
Why YASS Matters
At its heart, YASS is about more than just making art. It’s about giving children who are discovering their artistic voice, as well as older students who are seeking to expand their skills and confidence, the chance to:
Experiment with new materials and techniques in a safe, supportive environment.
Build confidence as they see their ideas take shape on the canvas, in collage, or through sculpture.
Form friendships with peers who share their curiosity and creativity.
Learn from mentors—ODU faculty and student teachers—who encourage them to think big and believe in themselves.
YASS embodies what our foundation values most: the power of art to change lives. For the young artists, it’s a chance to explore and create. For the ODU students stepping into their teaching journey, it’s a chance to practice, inspire, and learn from the children they guide. Together, they remind us that art transforms everyone in the room.
Parents often tell us how their child “came alive” during YASS, or how the program gave them a sense of belonging they hadn’t found elsewhere. And every year, we see the same spark in the preservice educators who guide them—proof that the impact of this program is felt on both sides of the classroom.
YASS 2025 Program Details
This year’s YASS offers two exciting workshop tracks for young artists. Each program runs for three consecutive Saturdays—and builds week to week—so students commit to attending all sessions.
Reflective Realities
Ages: 7–11
Location: Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, VA
Dates: October 18, October 25, and November 1, 2025
Time: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Young artists will explore self-expression through painting, collage, and mixed media while discovering new ways to reflect their personal stories in art.
Nature in Focus
Grades: Middle School – High School
Location: Hermitage Museum and Gardens, Norfolk, VA
Dates: October 18, October 25, and November 1, 2025
Time: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Older students will take inspiration from nature, using photography, cyanotype, and mixed media to connect creativity with the world around them.
Other Details:
Scholarships are available to help cover costs.
Photography consent is included with registration (student work may be photographed for portfolios or promotion).
Contact: art.ed.odu@gmail.com for questions.
A Celebration of Young Talent
Each year, YASS culminates in a final student showcase—a joyful gathering where families see their children stand proudly beside their artwork, ready to share their inspiration and process. The energy in the room is always electric, and the pride on parents’ faces is unforgettable.
An Invitation to Families
As we celebrate three years of this partnership, we are more convinced than ever that programs like YASS change lives.
If your child loves to draw, paint, build, or experiment with creative ideas, we invite you to register them for YASS 2025. This is more than an art class—it’s a chance to discover their voice, gain confidence, and join a community that celebrates creativity.
👉 Click here to register now — spots are limited and fill quickly each year!
On behalf of the Melinda Vooss Artfully Yours Foundation, thank you to ODU, the faculty, the student mentors, and—most importantly—the young artists who inspire us every year. We can’t wait to see the creativity that blossoms in YASS 2025.
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