Discounts and payment plans available. Email us at UpwardThrive@gmail.com . Be sure to include the programs you’re interested in.
Artists Connect
Bi-Weekly on Wednesdays this Fall (2026) | Ages 10–17
Looking for a place to unplug, create, and connect with other young artists?
Artists Connect Café is a space for young creatives who want room to think, relax, create, connect AND be productive this school year. Work on your latest masterpiece, knock out an assignment, grab a snack, chat with fellow artists, or just enjoy being around other young people who are ready to bring their A-game to creativity AND their academics!
Biweekly Wednesdays | 10 AM–2 PM
Starting September 23
Ages 10–17
$15 | Pay As You Go
Delicious snacks + access to our plethora of art materials!
No pressure. No recreational screens. No headphones. No distractions….Just a cool, creative space to CREATE. CONNECT. THRIVE.
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What's Included
- Access to our art materials
- One FREE canvas (5" × 7" or larger)
- Professional and creative support
- Time to collaborate and connect with fellow artists
- Opportunity to have your artwork published in Get Up and Goal Magazine
- Access to our snack station
- A calm, positive, and relaxing creative atmosphere
Available Materials
- Sneaker painting materials
- Professional acrylic paint
- Paint markers
- Advanced and beginner markers
- Sketch paper
- LED tracing boards
- And so much more!
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Information
- When: Bi-Weekly on Wednesday this Fall
- Where: Upward Thrive Academy, Inc. - 12353 Washington Square, Waldorf, MD
- Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM : Please note that artists are welcome to arrive and leave at any time during these hours at the discretion of their parent or guardian. All participants must be signed in upon arrival and signed out prior to departure by an authorized adult.
- Ages: 10–17
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Registration Information
Cost: $15 per person, per Wednesday
$10 for UTA Actin’ Up Theatre Troupe Participants
Pay as you go!
Simply register for the Wednesday(s) you plan to attend.
To ensure adequate supplies are available for every participant, payment must be received before the Wednesday you plan to attend.
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Original Artwork Only
Artists Connect is designed to help artists develop their own creative voice.
All artwork and writing created during Artists Connect must be original.
While we encourage artists to draw inspiration from styles, techniques, and genres they enjoy, fan art, copying, tracing, or recreating another artist's characters, logos, artwork, or other copyrighted material is not permitted.
This is your opportunity to build your own portfolio, create your own worlds, and grow your own artistic style.
Appropriate Themes
Artwork must be suitable for a public community setting.
The following are not permitted:
- Horror, graphic violence, gore, or disturbing imagery
- Sexually explicit content, nudity, or profanity
- Hate symbols, discriminatory content, or content that promotes harassment or bullying
- Religious or occult themes
- Political themes, political campaigns, or political advocacy
- Gang-related symbols or imagery
- Drug, alcohol, tobacco, or vaping-related content
- Content that promotes illegal or dangerous activities
- Controversial themes or imagery that may create a disruptive, offensive, or divisive environment
Creating original heroes, villains, fantasy worlds, and fictional stories is welcome, provided the artwork does not center on prohibited themes.
Staff reserve the right to determine whether artwork or written content aligns with the purpose and atmosphere of Artists Connect.
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A Screen-Free Creative Experience
One of the goals of Artists Connect is to help young artists reconnect with creativity and with each other.
During Artists Connect, participants may not use personal devices or headphones, except when necessary to contact a parent or guardian or to access images they want to use to inspire their artistic creations.
Instead, we encourage meaningful conversations, collaboration, and uninterrupted creative time in a relaxed studio environment.
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Dress Code
To maintain a respectful and appropriate environment, all participants are expected to adhere to the following dress code:
• Clothing must not be suggestive, provocative, excessively tight, or low-cut. The following items are not permitted: crop tops, tube tops, sheer or see-through clothing, open-sided tank tops, midriff-baring tops, or clothing that exposes cleavage. Undergarments such as sports bras, boy shorts, or similar items must not be visible or worn as outerwear.
• Shorts, skirts, and dresses must extend to at least fingertip length when arms are resting at the participant’s side.
• No leggings, biker-style or spandex shorts.
• Clothing must not display profanity, vulgar language, inappropriate gestures, or offensive imagery.
• Swimsuits, swim trunks, and bathing attire are not permitted.
Participants who do not meet these guidelines will be required to change before participating in program activities.
Program Administrators and Instructors may modify dress code requirements as needed for specific programs.