Community Arts Outreach Programs
The Bay School Community Arts Center provides free art-based experiences to underserved populations and those who are unable to come to us. We are committed to sharing creative opportunities with everyone as a means of enriching lives and developing community.
Currently, The Bay School supports ten outreach programs, which are funded by grants and generous donations of those who believe in what we do and recognize the value we bring to participants in our programs.
Kids' Summer Art Camps
All Kids’ classes, June thru August, are part of our Kids' Summer Art Camps. During the Summer of 2026, we offer 22 camps and one-session classes covering a wide variety of media and subject matter. 
As part of our community outreach effort, Summer Art Camp pricing is pay-what-you-can.
Join us for our Kids' Art Show Reception on Saturday, August 15, from 11:00am-1:00pm and see what they have created!
The Lewis B. Puller Center supports residents of the Middle Peninsula/Northern Neck region by providing long-term employment, training, and day support services to over 40 adults with disabilities. It is our sincere honor to provide monthly arts and crafts experiences for these incredible individuals. Teaching Artist, Virginia Coyle, infuses her passion for the arts into each lesson, as she inspires adults and children to discover their own creativity.
Mathews Active Lifestyle Center
The Mathews Active Lifestyle Center is a vibrant community of senior citizens who come together to share their life experiences and adventures. Every month, the Bay School Community Arts Center provides creative support for those who gather there. Teaching Artists Virginia Coyle and Davida Hall bring enthusiasm and a passion for the arts and crafts to every session as they encourage each program participant to explore their creativity.
"Your instructors are positive, energetic, informative, and enjoyable--they are excellent in equipping our group with much needed stimulation. Our seniors have come to enjoy and appreciate the different projects that they have been given. . .These classes have become a vital part of our time together." - Laura Ann Matthews, Director
Mathews & Middlesex Family YMCA's
The YMCA provides safe, structured after school programming for many students in the county, with athletic, cultural, and scholastic enrichment. The Bay School Community Arts Center is proud to partner with both The Mathews and Middlesex Family YMCAs to provide creative support through the arts.
Throughout the year, teaching artists Davida Hall and Gabrielle Patrice invite students to stretch their imaginations, experiment, and explore the arts through a variety of media. Every art session is designed to foster creative thought, while encouraging the students to develop their own unique perspective on the arts. Both group and individual projects are created to learn about the importance of respect for the individual and the benefits of utilizing teamwork to reach their goals. This program, as well as many others, is fully funded by grants from generous donors and other Bay School supporters. The Middlesex program is completely funded by the River Counties Community Foundation.
The Bay School Community Arts Center is proud to partner with Mathews Public Schools to support a variety of children of different ages.
Mathews Elementary
Four times each year, third-graders from Mathews Public Schools visit The Bay School for an afternoon to explore a themed creative project and try out new creative techniques.
Special Education
Part of our commitment to the community is providing a way for people of all ages and skill sets to experience the arts. It is with great honor and joy that we are able to partner with the Special Education programs in the Mathews Public Schools District at the high school level. Davida Hall, our Outreach Coordinator, visits Mathews County Public Schools to provide creative experiences for these incredible students.
Davida guides the students at Mathews High School through lessons that engage their senses and explore their emotions, offering creative ways to express themselves without words. They work in both artistic and practical craft media, learning skills that can lead to hobbies or even generate income as they enter their adult years.
These programs, as well as many others, are funded by grants from our generous donors and other supporters of The Bay School.
Scholastically Able Identified Learners (SAIL)
This SAIL program is for identified gifted elementary and middle school students in the Mathews Public Schools District. The students are pulled from their regular classroom to meet with a teacher of gifted students once per week. The Bay School provides art classes to various groups of SAIL students to supplement these sessions.
To enhance their math learning, the students constructed tessellations based on the work of artist M. C. Escher. Art history and art masters also are studied as a basis for experimenting with various styles and media. It is the intent of our sessions with students to expose them to an awareness of art in the world all around them.
"The students love the opportunity to create art that is different than what they do in their regular art classes. It is a chance for them to stretch their creativity."--Melissa Newcomb, Gifted Teacher for SAIL
New Point Life Services is a residential and day support center specializing in addressing the needs of intellectually disabled adults and adults with autism. It is The Bay School's privilege to partner with New Point to contribute to their Adult Day Program, providing creative experiences for their residents and day program participants.
Our Outreach Coordinator, Davida Hall, provides creative services to the clients at New Point Life Services. Through a variety of media and creative experimentation she is able to encourage these very special members of our community to openly express themselves in ways that speak louder than words. This program, as well as many others, is fully funded by grants from generous donors and other Bay School supporters.
"Our individuals are very excited when The Bay School comes. We see more participation each week she comes. Our individuals have intellectual disabilities, and The Bay School has embraced their needs." --Staff Member at New Point Life Services
"The clients of New Point Life Services highly anticipate their visits to Bay School Community Arts Center. Their counselors report the participants enjoy creating the various art projects and show them to other clients upon returning. A substantial increase in their socialization was noted." --Tashyra Morris, Director at New Point Life Services
Every week, our teaching artists welcome children within the community to our OpenArts After School Program. This high-energy after school program introduces students to a variety of techniques, media, and artists. It is open to any child who wishes to participate, whether they are home-schooled or attend public or private school. We currently offer two lower elementary school classes and two upper elementary/middle school classes.
Our classes fill up quickly, and we are limited to 12 students each class. Please register in advance for the semester and provide us with emergency contacts and allergy information the first time your child visits. Register online in the classes section or email makeart@bayschool-arts.com.
Each month the students will view and discuss the current Art Speaks Gallery exhibition and choose an artwork to receive the Students' Choice Award ribbon. We frequently display student artwork in the gallery and in our street-front windows, alongside the professional exhibition.
This program is free thanks to generous grants from the Mathews Community Foundation, the Servetus Fund of the UFFR, and an endowment from the Owens Foundation.
Spring 2026 OpenArts After School Art Show
On May 15-16, students, teachers, and families will gather together to view and celebrate the creativity of the kids who participated in the Spring 2026 session of OpenArts After School.
Riverside Lifelong Health & Rehabilitation
The Bay School Community Arts Center is honored to be in partnership with Riverside Lifelong Health & Rehabilitation in Mathews. During every session, one of our teaching artists brings bundles of creativity to the residents in the form of arts and crafts.
Every guided lesson is planned with the specific needs and skills of the residents in mind. As with so many of our other programs, it is our aim to not only reach out to the residents creatively, but to do so personally as well, building intentional relationships with each individual.
"The stimulating projects meet the needs and expectations of our residents. The instructors work with each resident on their skill level and produce a quality product that makes them proud. It is quite a job to address the ages and skill levels, but The Bay School folks always meet and/or exceed our expectations. I see happiness, pride generated by a created work, pride of ownership and many smiles, and "Look What I Did!" comments." - Richard Miles
