The City of Norwich Youth Bureau will be offering a drawing and painting class as well as a mosaic class this summer to local youth aged 11 to 18. (Sun file photo)

NORWICH — The City of Norwich Youth Bureau will be expanding their programming this summer to include two art programs at the Chenango Arts Council.

The programs are open to youth aged 11 to 18 of all artistic skill levels. Youth in the City of Norwich and the Towns of Norwich, North Norwich, Plymouth, Preston, and Pharsalia can attend the classes for free. Registered youth from outside of these areas may be charged a fee.

"The past few years we’ve been offering a lot of recreational sports. We don’t offer anything for kids that aren’t into sports, so there’s basically a whole group of kids out there. So we thought we’d offer several different programs. The arts program is the first ones that we’re going to offer this summer," said City of Norwich Youth Bureau Director Anthony Testani.

All supplies will be provided for both classes, and participating youth will have the opportunity to work in a professional studio at the Chenango Arts Council.

"I approached them about this not knowing that they had their art camp, then they put me in touch with these two artists. [Chenango Arts Council Administrative Assistant] Mary Beth [Miller], she helped me out quite a bit getting this thing set up and going," said Testani. "We’re going to use their studio, which is really nice. So the kids have a professional studio to work in, which is another kind of cool opportunity."