Achieve Together: Art Class Journey

In the summer of 2023, Wendy Yin and Emma A. Lu launched free community art lessons in Pearland to give children a space to explore creativity, self-expression, and confidence. What began as a small outreach effort quickly grew into a structured program under AYLUS Pearland.

Early outreach through WeChat and community flyers attracted local families. As interest increased, promotions expanded to Instagram and Facebook, demonstrating both strong community demand and the organizers’ growing outreach skills.

As enrollment grew, the program secured rooms at the West Pearland Library. Volunteers provided free sketchbooks, drawing tools, craft supplies, and overhead cameras so all students could participate regardless of background.

Preparation became a core strength of the program, helping student leaders develop organization, teamwork, and adaptability. Each class was designed to be welcoming, structured, and engaging.

By summer 2024, classes ran nearly every Saturday evening, serving about twenty students per session, ages three to thirteen. This wide age range required lessons that worked for both beginners and more advanced students.

The teaching team expanded to include Wyatt Yin, Jiaqi Ren, Iris Yang, Anna Zheng, and Caroline Fu. Families used Google Forms to select preferred art mediums and indicate skill levels, allowing lessons to be better tailored.

Each session followed a clear format:

Review activities and themed projects

Short instructional presentations

Practice worksheets

Snack break

Guided class tutorial

In 2025, the program entered a new phase of student leadership. Caroline Fu and Emma Lu led a refreshed curriculum with weekly themes and a new logo, giving the program a clear identity.

With support from volunteers Wendi Zhou, Sarah Zhang, Selena Zhang, Yurong Qiu, Wyatt Yin, and Ethan Liao, the program ran from June to August 2025. Eight weekend sessions were held, with more than a dozen students attending each week. Weekly themes included Father’s Day gifts, pop art, summer fruits, monsters, and name art using both two-dimensional and three-dimensional formats.

2025 Program Highlights

Sessions: 8

Student attendances: 103

Volunteer attendances: 34

Volunteers: 8

The program concluded with an end-of-summer celebration reflecting student pride and community support.

The program emphasized far more than artistic technique. Students developed confidence, creativity, patience, and collaboration. Many chose to stay after class to continue working, reflecting the program’s welcoming and supportive environment.

The program also received widespread praise from the community. One parent shared:

“I can’t believe this is a free class. I almost feel guilty that I don’t have the chance to pay tuition.”

Together, these summers tell a story of growth, leadership, and impact. A simple idea to contribute to the community has evolved into a lasting tradition, one that continues to nurture creativity, inspire confidence, and strengthen community bonds throughout Pearland.