Earlier this spring Ben’s Lighthouse offered a workshop called “Meet the Animator.”

For contractual reasons, the artist’s name and the company he works for were not announced, but it was a lead animator from a major animation studio who visited town that day.

“We were all impressed by the skill, number of people, and time needed to create a modern animated feature film,” said Carla Tischino, co-chair of Ben’s Lighthouse. “We learned that, even with computerized animation, the lead animator on a film only ends up claiming credit for about three minutes of a 90-minute animated movie.”

The artist in March also shared some the trials and tribulations he faced on his road to success.

“In the end he taught us all to animate a bouncy ball using only a pencil and a pad of sticky paper. He stressed the need to learn animation the ‘old-fashioned way,’ before using computer generated graphics. It was an amazing day filled with self-discovery for all who attended,” Ms Tischio added.

Based on the feedback from that day, Ben’s Lighthouse is offering a four-week animation series this spring. It will be held on Wednesdays from 4:15 until 5:45 pm beginning May 28, and will continue through June 18.

Young artists ages 8–18 are all welcome.

Emerald Sketch Art Therapy will facilitate the series, where artists will create their own characters and bring them to life through drawing and the animation process.

There is no charge for the series. It will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church, 36 Main Street.

For more information contact porterarttherapy@gmail.com.tischioc@live.com or