Youth Art Workshops
We have free after school and summer workshops for youth who live, learn, play, or worship in Smoketown. Our programs and content are designed in collaboration with the community. Our teacher to student ratios are 1:5. We have classes in the following media:
Book Binding, Screen Printing, Sculpture, Painting/Drawing, Paper Making, Mural Painting, Textiles
STEAM Classes
We use the arts as a platform for young people to engage with concepts in STEM in innovative ways. Instead of teaching STEM and supplementing our lessons with art, we primarily teach art and supplement our lessons with STEM. Our partnership with Jefferson Memorial Forest's ECHO Program provides the opportunity for our youth to attend biweekly field trips to JMF.
Community & Commerical Screen Printing
Neighborhood youth are employed to create screen printed products. Profits are reinvested in to Steam Exchange to keep our programs free for Smoketown residents.
Printing services include:
- T-shirt/tote bag Printing (max orders of 250 shirts)
- Screen Printing Events
- Printing Workshops
- Birthday Parties
Internships & Employment
Our paid internships provide an opportunity for additional responsibility at the Steam Exchange. High School youth hone their screen printing skills, print their own designs, & develop skills as community arts leaders. Post internship youth are eligible for hire at our community & Commercial Screen Printing Shop
Public Art
Public art projects are designed collaboratively with neighborhood residents, and are created by Steam Exchange youth. To date we have completed four murals, one large mosaic piece, and several large scale screen printing installations.
Visiting Artists
We have hosted several local visiting artists as well as artists from around the country. We try to utilize visiting artists as a way to bring new media and techniques to the Smoketown community. Past visiting artists include: Patrick Rowe of Mobile Print Power (Coronas, Queens) Catherine Hart (NJ), Josh Mauser (KY), Rhythm Science Sound (KY), Kara Mason (KY)