By:
Ron Huard
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A well received summer time program for elementary students sponsored by Clinton County Arts Council is being slated for a June schedule at the Council’s depot location. Save Some Summer for Art is directed to children aged 4-13 and offers introduction or advancement to a variety of art and craft pursuits. Registration for the June program begins Monday May 18 at Clinton County Arts Gallery. Interested parents may secure information by calling the Art Gallery, 989 224 2429 or contacting Shelley Gunther, 224 6137. There is a registration fee of $12.00.
According to Shelley Gunther, who will be directing the activities, a number of local artists and crafts persons have already signed on as instructors for the series of classes which will be conducted during the final weeks of June. Current plans call for class schedules from Monday June 15 through Friday June 19 with a second series from Monday June 22 through Friday June 26.
“Each year we try to enrich students’ lives by introducing them to different types of art,” Gunther commented. Continuing, she explained that “some forms the students have experienced, some are entirely new or expanded exposure beyond the typical school curriculum.”
Age groups served include children 4-6, 7-9 and 10-13 and the hours of classes are 11:00 a.m. to noon; 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., respectively. All sessions are conducted at the depot, providing parents easy drop-off and pick-up access.
A brief review of volunteer teachers participating in the program includes:
Penny Tahvonen who will conduct a two-part session on pottery and registration requires students to sign up for both sessions to complete the course. Long time Ovid-Elsie teacher Sue McMaster will introduce students to various artists and assign related projects for participants to complete. Meanwhile, Sherry Nichols will be teaching the talent of composing a scrapbook and students will have a take-home souvenir as a result.
Even cake-decorating is part of the curriculum. Toni Zimmereman will teach such procedures as making a flower, how to do cake lettering and piping and students will take home either a six-inch cake or some cookies. Another OE teacher, Jan Kelley joined by director Shelley Gunther will share instructions to assist students to design, create and decorate a stepping stone for their home garden or as a gift.
Techniques of water colors and a simplified form of stained glass will be taught by Tom Tomasek and Lynn Thelen has selected a less challenging project this year. Students will be taught how to fashion a lovely stretch bracelet as a memento of their experience.
Finally, a “Christmas In June” project will be conducted by Marsha Stevens. She will direct older students as they apply a delicate pattern to glass bulbs. Younger students will work on wooden snowflakes.
 One class from last year’s program involved exposing children to the techniques of painting employed by various artists explained by Sue McMaster. |