
Seven Directions Institute of Art and Science is Santa Cruz’s premiere creative center for kids. SDI offers art and science instruction in a lively 2000-square-foot studio with over 100 live animals and countless 3D models to inspire creativity in every student.
Please use our web site to learn more about SDI or register for classes, camps, and art parties. Also pay online with a credit card through Google Checkout and PayPal, our secure payment partners. SDI now accepts phone orders. We accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express.
Can't view the orange navigation bar to the left?
Please click HERE for our text based sitemap.
View the 2010 Class Schedule HERE.
Register for classes, camps, or ArtParty HERE.
News
Here is an article from January 2010 on Director Ben Hech's recent large scale encaustic wave, now installed in
San Jose City Hall
Santa Cruz Artist Shows Work in San Jose
Spring and Summer 2010 Camps
The spring and summer camps schedules are now online and enrollment is open. Camps fill up fast, so enroll soon!
View general camp information,
including application and eligibility HERE
View the 2010 spring camp schedule HERE.
View the 2010 summer camp schedule HERE.
View the 2010 summer EARLY BIRD OFFER HERE.
School Year Classes
September - Early June
School year classes are still open. Seven Directions will be closed Feb 11-March 8, however enrollement will remain open for kids to join classes right after. View the schedule HERE.
New this fall, Animation Workshop on Wednesdays from 4-6PM. Here are two videos, one of kids working during Animation Workshop in summer, the other of Explorers Science Camp in summer. Both classes are smaller during the year.
Animation Workshop Camp 2009 (Overview of Kids Working) from Ben Hecht on Vimeo.
Explorers Science Camp 2009 (Overview of Learning Centers) from Ben Hecht on Vimeo.
Art TenPak, our set of drop in classes for busy families.
Click HERE for more information.
Please click HERE for information on the various weekend, after school and mid day classes offered at Seven Directions. Use the link below to register and the drop down menu below to pay online. All classes currently have spaces available. Classes meet four time per month for 2 hours. Enrollment is monthly. Children may enroll any time. Add to cart with either PayPal (no account required) or pay for a single item with Google Checkout.
Use Google Checkout OR Paypal.
For multiple purchases, use orange Paypal buttons.
Use the drop down menu above to select the correct class.
Click HERE to register online.
Please click here to view our class schedule. All classes are month-to-month. Each class meets once weekly, four times a month, for two hours a class. Classes are $80 a month with a $20 monthly materials fee.
Art Parties
Winter weather is perfect for an indoor party. Whether you are celebrating your child's birthday or want a unique event for your co-workers or friends, an art party is a fun filled event for children or adults. Click HERE for more information about our ArtParty Program.
Encaustic Painting Workshops
In association with Redlines Studio, Ben Hecht will be offering a series of beginning and advanced encaustic (beeswax) painting workshops, available to older teens and adults. Please click here for more information.
Give a Gift Certificate
Seven Directions Institute of Art and Science offer gift certificates in any quantity towards classes, camps, and encaustic (beeswax) painting workshops. (Encaustic workshops are for older teens and adults only.) Please use the drop down menu below to purchase a gift certificate or contact us to arrange one.
Free Intro Class
A free intro class is available for new students during our weekly program from September through June. Intro classes are not available during seasonal camps.

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A video fly-through of Seven Directions Institute, June 2007.
A video overview of some of the animals, June 2007.
Santa Cruz Community TV interviews at Seven Directions, 2004.