Sometimes ideas planted during summer days can bloom in the depth of winter.

Last summer, Isabella Morais got to thinking that teenage artists on the Island would benefit from a studio space where they could gather and create art.

Her idea is becoming a reality with the Teen Art Cafe, a program that launches this week at Featherstone Center for the Arts with a drop-in studio and classes for teenage artists. Isabella, a sophomore at the Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School, is not an artist herself, but “I really love art and my dad’s an artist,” she said. “There are so many opportunities on the Island for artists, but not so many for teenagers who are artists.”

Jack Yuen paints an elephant. — Mark Lovewell

Isabella mentioned that thought to Featherstone executive director Ann Smith; the two are part of a mentorship program. Ms. Smith and Isabella mulled over the idea of an art space for teenagers, until Mrs. Smith said, “What if you did it here?”

“Then it all came together,” Isabella said.

The cafe will officially open to students in ninth through 12th grades next October. The pilot program offers participants a chance to meet students in other schools, to build a community and get a feel for the program, Isabella said. Eighth graders are also invited to check out the pilot program running this week.

The art cafe launched Wednesday with a tour of Featherstone and introduction to the teachers, and will continue through Saturday. The program includes open studio time as well as classes in mixed media transfers, comic strip making, and silk screening. “I wanted to have kind of a diverse range of classes,” Isabella said. With drawing, painting, and sculpture offered at schools, the classes give budding artists a way to explore different areas.

The culmination of the week is a public exhibit where students can show what they’ve worked on. The program runs from 2 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, 2 to 8 p.m. on Friday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and is free during the pilot week. The exhibit will be from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the Pebble Studio at Featherstone. For a schedule and more information, visit teenartcafe.squarespace.com.