Got a middle or high schooler who needs something awesome to do on a Friday? The Smart Project is bringing their signature creative energy to South Dallas Cultural Center for a day-long art adventure that’ll have your kid coming home with both incredible artwork and a huge smile.
What’s This All About?
On September 20th, teens in grades 7-12 can dive into mixed media wax resist techniques – and trust us, it’s way cooler than it sounds. Think vibrant watercolors dancing over crayon patterns, creating effects that look like pure magic but are totally achievable for any skill level.
Your teen will spend four hours learning techniques inspired by artists Oluseyi Ogunjobi and Yelena James, creating beautiful patterns and motifs that they’ll actually want to hang in their room (or give to you as the perfect “my kid is talented” bragging piece).
Why This Workshop Rocks
No Experience? No Problem: Never touched an art brush? Awesome. Think you’re “not creative”? Even better. This workshop is designed so everyone feels confident from minute one.
Real Artists, Real Inspiration: The techniques come from studying actual contemporary artists who work in these mediums. Your teen isn’t just making crafts – they’re learning legitimate artistic methods.
Four Hours of Pure Creation: From 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM, it’s all art, all the time. No boring lectures, no sitting still – just hands-on creativity that keeps minds and hands busy.
Everything’s Included: Supplies, instruction, encouragement – it’s all provided. Just show up ready to get a little messy and a lot creative.
The Smart Project Makes the Difference
Since 2019, The Smart Project has been empowering underrepresented youth from the DFW area through immersive creative workshops, igniting their artistic potential, and paving the way for a brighter future in the arts. They’re not just teaching art techniques – they’re building confidence, fostering creativity, and showing kids that their voices matter.
The program serves BIPOC students in grades 8-12 with equal resources including creative lesson plans focusing on photography, digital media, and traditional visual art techniques. This wax workshop fits perfectly into their mission of making high-quality arts education accessible to everyone.
Why South Dallas Cultural Center is the Perfect Spot
The South Dallas Cultural Center explores the vibrant tapestry of identity woven by the journeys, resilience, and triumphs of millions of individuals of African descent spread across the globe. It’s a place where culture, creativity, and community come together naturally.
The center offers free programming to residents, empowering local talent and fostering a sense of community in the neighborhood. Previous workshops have covered various mediums including weaving, acrylic painting, and mixed media collage, all designed so people feel safe no matter their art experience level.
What Wax Resist Actually Is (And Why It’s Cool)
Wax resist is like having a secret conversation between materials. You draw or paint with wax-based materials (like crayons), then apply watercolor over the top. The wax “resists” the water, creating incredible patterns, textures, and effects that you literally cannot get any other way.
It’s science meets art meets pure visual satisfaction. Your teen will watch colors flow and separate in ways that feel almost magical, but they’ll also understand exactly why it’s happening.
The Practical Stuff
When: Friday, September 20, 2025
Time: 10:30 AM – 2:30 PM (perfect timing – not too early, done before evening plans)
Where: South Dallas Cultural Center
Who: Students in grades 7-12
Cost: Completely free
Sign Up: thesmartproject.org/learning
What to Bring: Just yourself and clothes you don’t mind getting a little paint on
Why Your Teen Should Go
This isn’t just an art class – it’s four hours where your teenager gets to:
- Learn from professional teaching artists
- Work in a supportive, encouraging environment
- Create something uniquely their own
- Connect with other creative teens
- Experience techniques they’ll never encounter in regular school art classes
- Build confidence in their creative abilities
One Smart Project alumni put it perfectly: “I appreciated the creative freedom it offered me while experiencing the profound beauty of music, highlighting the inspiring interplay between different forms of art.”
The Bigger Picture
Art education isn’t just about making pretty things. It’s about problem-solving, critical thinking, self-expression, and building confidence. When underrepresented youth get access to high-quality creative programming, it opens doors to possibilities they might never have considered.
The Smart Project knows this. The South Dallas Cultural Center knows this. And after four hours of wax resist magic, your teen will know it too.
Ready to Sign Up?
Head to thesmartproject.org/learning and claim your teen’s spot. These workshops fill up fast because word gets out: when The Smart Project shows up, something amazing is about to happen.
Your Friday just got a whole lot more interesting.
Contact:
The Smart Project: thesmartproject.org
South Dallas Cultural Center partnership
Free workshop for grades 7-12
