Express more, create more, and make more this summer in year two of the Summer of HeART. Children, tweens, teens, and families will experience eight weeks of connection, dialogue, and empathy through arts, music, dance and media arts workshops from the Youth Arts Alliance (YAA). This year, YAA is hosting programming at both YDL-Superior and YDL-Michigan.

“We're thrilled for another year at Superior and the expansion of Summer of HeART offerings to the re-opened Michigan Avenue branch," said Heather Martin, Youth Arts Alliance Founding Director. "Investing in the joy, creative expression, and artistic opportunities in our community is paramount. We're grateful for the many community partners bringing HeART to summer in Ypsilanti, especially County Commissioner Annie Sommerville's advocacy for the resources needed."

Programming favorites from last year—like clay handbuilding and Congolese drumming and dancing with Bichini Bia Congo Dance Theater Company—will be expanded. New sessions, like a TV studio series, will be added.

These great activities are also planned at YDL-Michigan from 2-5pm:

• Jun 28: Design a t-shirt.

• July 26: Learn about photography.

• Aug 2: Participate in improv and make a video.

“We’re taking some of the greatest hits from last year and doing more of them,” said Superior Youth Librarian Liz Getty. “We’ve got a lot of programs on the pottery wheel, which made kids feel very special last summer.”

The series kicks off Friday, June 20, with special activities and a performance from Bichini Bia. Then, YAA will offer free programming alongside community partners every Wednesday–Friday afternoon from 2–5pm. Summer of HeART continues through August 15 (no programming July 2–4), culminating with a special celebration Saturday, August 16 from 2–5pm.

Summer of HeART is made possible in part by Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation, Washtenaw County Community Mental Health, University of Michigan Center for World Performance Studies, the Ann Arbor Thrift Shop Anne M. Hayes Memorial Fund, and private foundation monies. To learn more, visit youthartsalliance.org