Gray Friday Programs
School’s out early. Creativity is just getting started. Gray Friday programs at Carolina Arts Café + Studios give Gray Collegiate Academy students a welcoming place to create, explore, and be part of a working art studio community.
Instead of simply filling the afternoon, Gray Fridays give students time to create, experiment, develop skills, and join a supportive studio community. Families can choose between two age-appropriate experiences designed to fit the shortened Friday schedule.
Program Overview
Gray Friday Art Club
A creative Friday afternoon for elementary-age artists who benefit from structure, encouragement, and plenty of opportunities to explore.
Students spend Friday afternoons creating in a real art studio through a mix of guided projects, creative choice, and age-appropriate independent work.
Projects may include:
- Painting, drawing, and printmaking
- Collage, mixed media, and sculpture
- Textile and fiber arts
- Glass mosaic and seasonal projects
- Collaborative and artist-inspired projects
Each Friday introduces new materials, techniques, and ideas while giving students space to make their own creative decisions and develop confidence in their creative voice.
Time: Fridays · 12:30–4:30 PM
Gray Friday Open Studio
A studio community for middle and high school artists who are ready for greater independence, deeper exploration, and longer-term projects.
Open Studio functions less like a traditional class and more like a working studio where students can develop ideas, experiment with materials, and pursue projects that reflect their own interests.
Students may work in:
- Painting, drawing, and illustration
- Printmaking, collage, and mixed media
- Fiber and textile arts, sculpture, and glass
- Design and independent portfolio projects
Each Friday includes guided instruction and technical support, while encouraging students to take ownership of their work and pace.
For students interested in art school, college applications, competitions, exhibitions, or simply becoming stronger artists, Open Studio is an opportunity to build a sustained body of work and portfolio.
Time: Fridays · 12:30–4:30 PM
Studio Experience
Gray Fridays are intentionally different from a conventional after-school program. Students become part of the creative community at Carolina Arts Café + Studios, working in a space shared with artists, makers, musicians, classes, exhibitions, and community events.
Here, art is not just an assignment—it’s something people practice, develop, share, exhibit, and live with. Regular participants are encouraged to continue projects across multiple weeks, try new media, collaborate with other young artists, and gradually take greater responsibility for their own creative practice.
Friday becomes time to slow down, make something, develop an idea, and discover what happens when young people are given both instruction and room to create.
Enrollment & Pricing
Friday Drop-In
Perfect for families who need occasional Friday coverage or for students who want to try the program before committing to a regular schedule.
12:30–4:30 PM · $48 per Friday
Friday Art Membership
Make Friday at the studio part of your student’s weekly routine. Membership reserves your student’s place each Friday and provides the consistency needed to build skills, relationships, and more ambitious projects.
$160 per month
Some specialty projects or materials may require an additional materials fee.
Ready to Join Gray Fridays?
Have questions about which program is the best fit, scheduling, or enrollment details? We’re happy to help you plan a creative Friday routine for your student.
Program Video (Coming Soon)
Reserved media space for a future Gray Friday YouTube video. Video will be embedded here when available.
