Revamped art camp attracts and entertains kids
Julie Robison
Issue date: 10/11/07 Section: Arts
Every Tuesday and Wednesday night, the Arts for Creative Minds program allows children to get in touch with the right side of their brain.
Arts for Creative Minds is open to local children between the 2nd and 8th grades, and it meets from 7-8 p.m. in the Sage Center for the Arts.
While ACM has been around for many years, the entire program was revamped last year by junior Whitney Stewart to make it more interactive and accessible for children.
Stewart designed it to be a hands-on approach to the fine arts for kids. They can explore many different areas of art, including sketching, painting, and photography, she said.
In the next few weeks, however, the program will branch out into other areas of the fine arts. The kids will have an opportunity to make masks in a class taught by those involved in the college's theater program, and to participate in an acting class in the Black Box and a musical activity.
Cathy Dau from the office of Institutional Advancement has two children who attend the ACM program.
"I think it's been great," Dau said. "I know the kids are both definitely enjoying it."
She was pleasantly surprised to find that her 4th grade son loves it so much, especially since he is sports-driven, she said.
"It's giving my kids an opportunity to explore different areas of art that they wouldn't have an opportunity to do at school," she said.
Many professors on campus also have children who attend the bi-weekly fine arts appreciation program.
Assistant Professor of Political Science Nathan Schlueter appreciates the program as a creative outlet for his son, who is homeschooled. He believes the program gives his son exposure to the fine arts he would not normally receive in his education.
"I've been very impressed with what I've seen," Schlueter said.
Last year, about 6 to 10 kids attended the program regularly. This year, thanks to increased advertising and a strong student volunteer base, about 10 to 17 kids attend each week, Stewart said.
Arts for Creative Minds is open to local children between the 2nd and 8th grades, and it meets from 7-8 p.m. in the Sage Center for the Arts.
While ACM has been around for many years, the entire program was revamped last year by junior Whitney Stewart to make it more interactive and accessible for children.
Stewart designed it to be a hands-on approach to the fine arts for kids. They can explore many different areas of art, including sketching, painting, and photography, she said.
In the next few weeks, however, the program will branch out into other areas of the fine arts. The kids will have an opportunity to make masks in a class taught by those involved in the college's theater program, and to participate in an acting class in the Black Box and a musical activity.
Cathy Dau from the office of Institutional Advancement has two children who attend the ACM program.
"I think it's been great," Dau said. "I know the kids are both definitely enjoying it."
She was pleasantly surprised to find that her 4th grade son loves it so much, especially since he is sports-driven, she said.
"It's giving my kids an opportunity to explore different areas of art that they wouldn't have an opportunity to do at school," she said.
Many professors on campus also have children who attend the bi-weekly fine arts appreciation program.
Assistant Professor of Political Science Nathan Schlueter appreciates the program as a creative outlet for his son, who is homeschooled. He believes the program gives his son exposure to the fine arts he would not normally receive in his education.
"I've been very impressed with what I've seen," Schlueter said.
Last year, about 6 to 10 kids attended the program regularly. This year, thanks to increased advertising and a strong student volunteer base, about 10 to 17 kids attend each week, Stewart said.
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