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A “Summer Art Explosion” in Troy resulted in a spectrum of arts programming for kids from literature, dance, and singing to printmaking and sculpture… and everything in-between.

Andrea Pack, director of the Johnson Center for the Arts and the Summer Art Explosion, said, during the 2024 Summer Art Explosion, the young participants are fully exploring the world of “The Cool Bean” by Pete Oswald and Jory John.

The picture book teaches children that although sometimes they might feel left out or be labelled by someone else, what really matters at the end of the day is being kind to everyone!” 

Cool Beans are kind beans. And that kindness is evident among the kids, who are enjoining an all-around arts experience of the Summer Art Explosion.

Rebekah Alexander, who is the leader for the Summer Art Explosion, said the kids have worked together, learned together, helped each, shared with each other, but most of all, they have been kind to each other.

Summer Art Explosion is an all-around arts experience.

The kids have air-brushed T-shirts, screen printed, drawn self-portraits, decorated frames, designed a book cover and used different items to create their own collage.

And, on Friday, it will all come together the kids entertain their families with songs and dance at The Studio. Then, they will have an opportunity to share with their families all of the art projects through which they learn to be Cool, Kind Beans.’