After running successful classes and programs for children and families for 10 years in Boca Raton, Susan Caruso and some close associates decided to form a nonprofit organization in order to meet the needs of children, parents and teachers in the wider community. Since January of 2003 Sunflower Creative Arts has been serving Palm Beach and Broward County with 501(c)3 status.
Through fundraising, we aim to make our programs available to all who seek them, regardless of their ability to pay, and we strive to promote developmentally appropriate practices among those serving children in south Florida. By collaborating with other non-profit organizations in our outreach programs, we continually work towards being better able to provide high quality arts education for all children in our community.
Mission and Philosophy
The mission of Sunflower Creative Arts is to give children the freedom to discover their unique passions and the support necessary for each one to develop a strong personal voice. A key component to fulfilling this mission is the education of teachers, caregivers and parents about the kinds of environments, tools and nurturing children need for optimal development.
We advocate respect for children's choices. In our creative arts programs children have the freedom to choose their own activities. In our theatre programs they create whole plays, developing the characters, dialogue, plot, costumes and sets. We believe that this gift of freedom, coupled with loving adult guidance, helps children develop a deep and solid understanding of themselves.
We view children not as clay to be molded or shaped by adult knowledge; but as seedlings in need of nurturing, space and time, and a rich environment in order to grow in the unique way intended for each one. We value the experience of pure joy and wonder in the lives of children. We respect the individual thoughts, emotions and words of each child. We believe that this enables them to develop trust in their own feelings and a high level of self-awareness. We have faith that in addition to helping them live satisfying lives, this self-awareness can help keep them safe in the world, by encouraging each one to pay attention to his or her own inner voice.
Programs
Seedlings is a parent co-operative program for children 3-6 years old focusing on the socio- emotional development of the whole child and conflict resolutions skills. Our children's theatre program offers classes for ages four to eighteen and Shakespeare classes and a repertory troupe for ages nine to eighteen. We also offer a Mommy and Me creative arts class called Little Sprouts for ages eighteen months to three years, and a guitar accompanied family style sing-a-long class called Circle of Song. New in 2009 are Teen and Adult Improv classes and an afterschool creative arts class for 6-9 year olds called Sunflower Explorers. In addition, we offer a Sunflower Roots and Shoots Club. While many of our programs have parent support and education built-in, we also offer formal parenting classes and workshops each year.
Please call for our latest class schedule 561-482-3412
Staff
Susan Caruso - Artistic Director, founder of Sunflower Creative Arts and teacher. Susan Caruso is an educator, a musician and an advocate of the arts for all children. She has been a teacher and resident of Florida for more than twenty five years. She teaches creative arts, drama, music, parenting classes and conflict resolution workshops. Susan is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Susan teaches Seedlings, Circle of Song, Little Sprouts, Sunflower Explorers, all of the theatre programs and We Love Shakespeare!
Mike Glas - Seedlings teacher. Mike is the multi-talented, loving father of four young children. He left a successful corporate career to be with his children and to teach in our Seedlings program.
Mary Sikes - Associate Director and Seedlings teacher. Mary is the glue that holds all the little business pieces of Sunflower Creative Arts together, as well as always being able to locate Susan and her keys. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in education with a minor in early childhood. Most importantly she is the mother of Annabelle, Shelley and Elizabeth.
Zabeth Teelucksingh - Marketing and Community Relations Director. Her fantastic organizational and people skills are a wonderful addition to Sunflower. She is also giving us an infusion of fresh ideas. Born in Tunisia and educated in the UK, Zabeth has spent time working in both Paris and Boston. She is also the proud mother of Emma, a Summertime Seedlings helper this year! (Pronunciation of her beautiful name is Zah- bet, rhymes with Babette. The h is silent.)
Michele Iemolo Little Sprouts and Theatre assistant, Seedlings teacher, Sunflower Explorers co-teacher. Her strong education in Psychology and fantastic rapport with children as well as a passionate love of creative arts (especially movement and dance) makes her a wonderful asset. Michele encourages everyone to sing their own song, beat their own drum and dance their own dance.
Malin Israelsson, from Sweden, was our intern in Nov. and Dec. Malin is a social work student beginning her second year of studies at Umea University in northern Sweden. She assisted with Seedlings, Little Sprouts and theatre classes, as well as observing all aspects of our non profit. During her time with us she wrote an essay with a focus on our parental involvement and workshops for her college program. We wish Malin well in her continued studies in Sweden and hope to see her back in Boca soon!
© Copyright 2006, Sunflower Creative Arts, Inc.
Sunflower Creative Arts, Inc. is a 501c3 organization, which provides its services and benefits to children and families without regard to race, color, nationality, religion or ethnic origin.
