Registration is under way for the Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation’s free River Kids After School Art Program.

The program, which has been offered for more than 15 years in the spring and the fall at the SCHC is one of the most popular programs the foundation holds for youth in the area.

It is designed to encourage children to discover and develop their creative talents exposing creativity through drawing, painting, crafts, collage, ceramics, sculpture and many more exciting techniques, the executive director of the SCHF Stacey Massey said.

Karen Biedenharn and Regina Renot Mattei, who are experienced and accredited educators, will plan and teach each class, Massey said, and because RiverKids has been so popular, sometimes students who have passed the age limit return to assist the teachers.

“The River Kids After School Art Program is supported in part by funding from the Mississippi Arts Commission, a state agency, and in part, from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency, and the generous support of the Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation individual and corporate members, the City of Vicksburg, and various appropriations,” Massey said.

It is free, but requires a full semester commitment from the parents.

The number of students will be limited to 60 for the spring offering, and applications will be accepted on a first come first serve basis.

The after school art program will meet from 3:45 to 5 p.m. on Thursdays for 13 weeks beginning Jan. 28 at 1302 Adams St.

To register, call 601-631-2997 or email info@southernculture.org.