Mission Statement:
Wee Little Arts core value lies in discovery of the creative process.  Applying this process to everyday problem-solving stimulates more innovative ideas.  Our goal is to unlock this intrinsic tool set, within each of our students, and help to create the original thinkers needed for our future.

Why was WLA developed?

My life has always revolved around children.  I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t babysitting, playing with young children, creating camps and so on. I grew up just South of Washington DC, so I was constantly exposed to all the wonderful resources that a city has to offer.  My parents often took me to the Smithsonian, the Kennedy Center, exhibits of friend's work and numerous other opportunities to see art.

Naturally, it wasn’t a surprise that I decided to go into education with an emphasis in Art.  I received a BFA, in Art Education, from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond.  Wanting to explore different areas on the East Coast, I chose Charleston, SC as my destination 13 years ago and have never left. 

During my first year of teaching, I taught visual arts at two elementary schools.  I then landed the job I so desperately wanted…Visual Arts Instructor at Ashley River Creative Arts Elementary School.  I taught at Ashley River for six years and still consider it a wonderful foundation for the program I started in 2000. 

Wee Little Arts (WLA), LLC was developed because of the lack of visual arts (Fine Arts) in the preschool classroom.  Typically, preschool teachers will do craft projects with the children, but WLA was written as a three year curriculum that introduces the concepts of the visual arts through art history and age appropriate children’s literature.  The focus is on the process of creating, however, the products created are exceptional!

Although there may be other art programs available, I have yet to find a program such as my own, original in its’ content and very educationally based.  I now train individuals, schools and curriculum specialists to license my program on a yearly basis.  Wee Little Arts of Charlotte, Charlottesville and Savannah are now being offered. 

"The future of the program is endless.  It is my hope that one day, WLA will be offered to many children around the world."     Melissa Bradshaw, Founder