2016 Summer Art Enrichment: another success!
The Society enjoyed another successful Summer Art Enrichment program educating youngsters with an array of professional artists as instructors.
The organizers expanded the program and again added a new teacher, Lilly Rand Barnett. There were three different teachers involved in five weekly sessions of instruction and 46 participants were instructed. Each session also got a tour of the Seven Hearths Museum thanks to Curator Marge Smith.
At the end of each week, there was an art show presenting each child’s work and parents, grandparents and friends enjoyed seeing all the work on display.
“We are pleased by the high quality of art instruction that is being provided through this program,” said trustee Lynn Mellis Worthington, one of the volunteers who helped organize the program.
“It was so nice to see George Laurence Nelson’s property so active with lots of young artists flowing with creativity. He and Helen would be so happy and proud to see the program we have developed ” said Melissa Roth Cherniske, another one of the trustees that helped organize the program.
Barnett, who is the art teacher at Sharon Center School, instructed students in a wide variety of artistic mediums. Some of the projects included sewing of 3D sculptures, embroidery, painting and plaster mask making. She offered both a morning and afternoon session for different ages. Each of the students got their own sketchbook and a challenge to continue to draw in it during their entire summer.
Cheryl Moore, chairman of the Art Department at South Kent School, returned for her third year and instructed 5 to 7 year olds. Once again her young students explored color in a variety of ways, including using a variety of watercolor techniques.
Andy Richards, chairman of the Visual Arts Department at The Gunnery school in Washington, led sessions in drawing and painting. His sessions always include a critique element, in which students analyze each other’s work and he provides guidance and encouragement.
Following the sessions, the Society surveyed the parents to get feedback on each class. One parent wrote, “My daughter talks about this camp non-stop. She had so much fun. She was very excited to learn to sew and really enjoyed the art show at the end of the week.” Another parent wrote, “He loved working with different media and creating projects using multiple methods. He also loved seeing the Historical Society and learning about it.”
The Society is thrilled to have the Art Barn in use to allow children to develop their artistic skills. George Laurence Nelson gave art lessons in various forms over the years and so we believe our art instruction continues his legacy.