Center of Creative Arts Serves Up Free Family Fun at Taste of COCA

Inside every kid is a Lin-Manuel Miranda, a Picasso and a Misty Copeland - all ready to break free to act, paint and dance. As parents, it’s up to us to give our little ones the opportunity to let their inner artists grab the spotlight with activities that match up with their childhood interests.

On Saturday, August 27, kids of all ages – including mom and dad – can try their hand at a variety of art genres during Taste of COCA: Family Style, the Center of Creative Arts’ annual preview event. For one day, COCA is offering a free sample of creative and performing arts classes cooked up by renowned experts in the field – complete with food, entertainment and non-stop fun!

“Taste of COCA is to introduce ourselves to families who may be brand new to COCA or might have attended one of our shows in the past,” said Beth McClure, director of marketing and communications for the organization. “It’s a good entry point for inspiring students of all ages to take a class this fall or to check out the exciting performances we have on tap this year.”

During the event, COCA will offer a variety of classes for every member of the family. Younger kids can get in the ring for some circus fun, use their imagination on the theater stage, or learn the basics of ballet. The art studio is open to kids in grade school as are opportunities for singing and hip-hop dance. And teens and adults alike can test their improv chops, leap into cardio ballet, and use found objects to create mixed media art.

Sprinkled throughout the day are performances by COCA student artists, including Allegro, COCA’s Student Vocal Ensemble, and the cast of its summer musical Memphis, who will serenade your family as you enjoy a complimentary brunch sponsored by Butler’s Pantry.

Opening children’s eyes to a heartwarming exhibit

Just as exciting as the hands-on activities is the opening of COCA’s latest featured exhibition, Outside In: Paint for Peace, which showcases the neighborhood artists who transformed the plywood that graced boarded-up windows during the Ferguson unrest into vibrant works of art that inspired a country.

COCA worked closely with Carol Swartout Klein, a longtime supporter of the organization and author of the book, Painting for Peace in Ferguson, and curator Dr. Jackie Lewis-Harris of the University of Missouri-St. Louis to bring these unique canvasses direct to a new audience of young art lovers.

Said McClure, “Outside In spotlights the hopeful and healing angle of the Ferguson story everyone needs to see. It’s our opportunity to honor the artists and neighborhood residents who came together to paint for their community. And because Dr. Lewis-Harris is from Ferguson, she knows the neighborhood well. Her curation of the project is truly heartfelt and thoughtful.”

Outside In also includes coloring activities for younger kids and a street art graffiti project for your older ones.

Taste of COCA runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at COCA, 524 Trinity Ave. in University City. The event is free, but because many of the classes are already filling up, advance registration is strongly encouraged. For a schedule of the day’s events or to sign up your family, visit www.cocastl.org/event/taste-coca-family-style.