The ArtStart program offers a developmentally appropriate, arts-based curriculum with the goal of enhancing the students’ creative, physical, social, emotional and intellectual development.
ArtStart provides children the opportunity to explore in a nurturing environment with highly qualified and experienced staff in small class sizes with two teachers!
The ArtStart curriculum is a solid academic foundation for kindergarten but fosters skills in a playful and meaningful way. We integrate the arts into our curriculum – not as separate subjects, but as a pivotal elements in the development of language and literacy, emergent math, problem solving and other skills. Find out more about this stimulating classrooms where the children set the tone and help guide the specifics of the curriculum!
2024-25 ArtStart Preschool registration information
*If you have already registered you should have received an email confirming placement, and an invoice. Please check your junk folder and/or email us if you did not receive these.
There are spots available for the 2024-25 school year, please email info@parkersburgartcenter.org and we can discuss options before registering.
AGES:
Students should be 3 years old (and toilet trained) by the start of the school year
Students should be no older than 5 years old by the start of the school year
Class Options:
2 day AM class: Tuesday and Thursday mornings 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon (3 hours per day)
3 day AM class: Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon (3 hours per day) This class is FULL!
4 day AM class: Tuesday - Friday mornings 8:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. (3 hours per day)
School Calendar
Classes will run August 2024 through May 2025. A complete list of school holidays and other events will be provided.
ArtStart Preschool Registration Priority
First Priority will go to current ArtStart students IF they register online by February 12th.
Second Priority will go to siblings of current and former ArtStart students IF online registration is completed by February 26th.
Registration is open to the public starting February 27 and new students will be placed after that date, but can register anytime.
Please be sure to list a first and second choice for class days and times.
We will notify families of their placement within a week of the end date for each registration period.
There is a $75 non-refundable registration fee required when you register.
Annual tuition:
4 day AM program, 3 hours per day – $2,070* This can be paid in 9 tuition installments of $230
3 day AM program, 3 hours per day - $1,620* This can be paid in 9 tuition installments of $180
2 day AM program, 3 hours per day – $1,170* This can be paid in 9 tuition installments of $130
*Your enrollment in ArtStart entitles you to an Art Center Family membership!!! (20% off all other classes for your whole family, 20% off Camp Creativity, FREE entrance to all Gallery Openings, and Guest Passes)
Payment options:
You may pay in one advance payment
You may pay by semester
You may make monthly tuition installments
Whatever your choice, the first tuition payment for the 2024-2025 school year is due July 15.
If making monthly tuition installments, each additional payment will be due the 15th of the month September through April.
There is a $25 fee for payment more than two weeks late.
Please direct any questions to info@parkersburgartcenter.org
ArtStart Teaching Team
Managing Director and Director of Education for the Parkersburg Art Center, Jessie Siefert, began her career as a teacher in 1991. She has a M.S. in Education from Bank Street College in New York, NY. Jessie has presented at local conferences and at national conferences (NAEYC), has written parenting columns for local magazines and taught early Childhood Education and Child Development at WVU-P. Before coming to the Parkersburg Art Center in 2005 her experiences included teaching preschool and kindergarten; working as a teacher/naturalist at a nature center and a national park; consulting for the Cincinnati Art Museum; presenting teacher education programs in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, working as an adjunct teacher at WVU-P and raising her two children. Jessie can be reached via email at artstart06@gmail.com
Summer Webb-Sundstrom is a proud mother of two teenage children, both of whom are ArtStart preschool graduates. Summer loved being part of the ArtStart family as a parent and classroom volunteer. In the spring of 2015 Summer joined ArtStart as a substitute teacher and later became a regular part of the ArtStart teaching team and also the Art Center Administrator. She has an Masters of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Marshall University. Summer enjoys teaching children while nurturing their desire to grow, learn, and express themselves through play and creativity.
Email Summer at summer@parkersburgartcenter.org
Ashley Chichester began her teaching career at ArtStart in 2015. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education with a minor in Early Childhood Education from West Liberty University. Ashley has devoted her career to working with children and families in a wide array of capacities including teaching, specialized art classes, tutoring, and working with families through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. She has a passion for nurturing young children and watching them discover and grow through their play and experiences.
Email Ashley at ashchichester@gmail.com
Maia Day studied Nursing at Hocking College, is the mother of two teenage children; both of whom attended ArtStart. Maia enjoyed volunteering in the classroom during those years, then started subbing, and teaching in 2017. She loves getting to experience the wonder and joy of learning through art and play that ArtStart provides.
Email Maia at maiaroseday@gmail.com
Chelsea Bunner is a mother of three beautiful children, a daughter and two sons. She has a Bachelor’s Degree of Applied Science in Child Development and other credentials from West Virginia University of Parkersburg. She’s been volunteering with ArtStart since 2017 and began teaching in 2020. She also volunteers in her church’s nursery and will be helping with their upcoming children’s Christmas musical. She is devoted to all the children that come into her classroom and in her care just as she is her own children and loves to watch them grow and express themselves through the creative art experiences that ArtStart provides them.
Email Chelsea at chelseabunner7@gmail.com
Kayla Patterson is a mother of two elementary aged children, a boy and a girl, who are previous ArtStart students. After attending WVU for Public Relations and Marketing, Kayla transitioned to staying at home with her children for the past decade. A Camp Creativity instructor and PAC volunteer, she has been volunteering in ArtStart classrooms since 2018 and is ecstatic to be part of the team. Working with young children is where her heart is most happy! “ArtStart allows me to revisit those precious preschool years that I cherished so much with my own children. Learning through play and art is a great start!”
Email Kayla at patterson.kayla14@gmail.com
ArtStart Calendar 2024-25
First Week of Class Week of August 26th
Labor Day September 2nd
Staff Development October 23rd
Election Day November 5th
Thanksgiving Break November 25th - 29th
Winter Break Dec. 20th - Jan. 3rd
MLK Day January 20th
President’s Day February 17th
Spring Break March 31st - April 4th
Staff Development April 18th
Last Day of Class May 8th/9th
Gallery Shows Week of May 12-16th
(calendar is subject to change)
Weather Closings:
If Wood County Schools are closed due to weather, ArtStart will also be closed.
If Wood County Schools have a 2 hour delay due to weather, ArtStart classes will begin ONE hour later, but finish at their regular time.
