What is The Painted Pomegranate?

What do you get when combine a splash of paint, a pinch of yoga, a dash of theater, and a chord of acoustic guitar? A perfect recipe for the Painted Pomegranate, an exciting new JCC creative center for children.

The center is conceived and is being developed by artist Daniela Balzano-Fenton, formerly of Blend, an art space for children in Branford. Balzano-Fenton will bring a medley of enrichment activities to the center including arts education, children’s yoga, biology and nature classes, theater and more. Birthday parties will be one of The Pom’s many highlights, and will create a new definition of celebration into the Greater New Haven area.

The Pom will be unique in many ways. Parents may drop off their 2½- to 5-year-old children for creative classes and activities, or they may come in and participate, freely exploring the variety of stations and play areas that will be ever-evolving in this new learning center. Scheduled classes will delight preschool-aged children during the day, and afterschool and evening enrichment programs will engage and challenge older children.

Teens will not be left out! Occasional workshops, including “Chic Clothing Design,” will be offered on Sundays, and a variety of teen evening activities will be offered as well.
The fun at The Pom continues beyond open play and scheduled activities. Parents can even host birthday parties for kids of all ages! A birthday party at The Pom will not only be fun and interactive, but a celebration of the child as an individual. Parents may design parties around their own idea or vision or they choose from one of The Pom’s many themes, such as interactive projects like fairy home building, jewelry making, pirate and mermaid celebrations, Victorian tea parties and more!

The Painted Pomegranate will be at the forefront of centers for children’s enrichment. It is an ideal alternative to babysitting while parents go grocery shopping, clean their homes, or get to those projects that they have been putting off for months - and in an environment in which children will be enriched, nurtured and able to relax and create under the supervision of experienced art educators and teachers.

About Daniella Balzano-Fenton
With a background in biology and the arts, Balzano-Fenton has worked extensively with children’s programs to offer a greater understanding of positive learning environments and arts education to children and families. After working as a K-8 grade art teacher in Ansonia, Daniela opened an art studio for children on the Milford green. She then moved on to create Blend, an art space for children in Branford. She writes a parenting blog about mindful parenting for kidhaven.com, and has spoken around the state on the benefits of low-technology childhood.