Katy TX- The Katy Family YMCA and ARTreach are partnering to introduce Art and Business combined with Health and Fitness in a unique Summer Camp benefiting youth in the Fort Bend County Probation Department’s Project L.E.A.P. (Leadership- Education-Action Program).

This is a one week day camp serving youth at risk ages 14-17 that will introduce graphic design and screen printing combined with marketing techniques associated with the wholesale tee-shirt industry. The ARTreach Art and Business Program will teach skills for living in the real world and is taught by professional artist, Danny Russo of Young Audiences of Houston. The ARTreach program at the Katy Family YMCA is made possible thanks to the YAH Assistance Fund, Fort Bend Partnership for Youth and Tradition Bank of Katy.

Project LEAP students will learn basic screen printing techniques and be given an opportunity to create an original line of tee-shirts and fitness totes. They will learn how to cut and produce stencils and burn images using lamps and light-sensitive emulsion on silk screens to create a number of designs that can be reproduced and sold.  The Katy Family YMCA will be supporting additional camp activities for the youth focused on health and fitness. This ARTreach Program at the Katy Family YMCA is designed to incorporate health, education, business and the arts to promote productive, creative and healthy lifestyles.

The winning tee shirt design created during the camp program will be donated the 2008 Partners of Youth Campaign and sold on tee-shirts an fitness bags to support programs serving children at risk in the Katy and Fort Bend County area.

The ARTreach Art & Business Program at the Katy Family YMCA is made possible thanks to the Fort Bend Partnership for Youth, Young Audiences of Houston Assistance Fund –Imagine. Create. Educate. Tradition Bank of Katy- Local answers.