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Kids inspired at Art Camp
The children quickly sat in their seats as Brenda Raub read at the front of the classroom. The teacher paused once she finished reading each page and turned the book around so the youngsters could enjoy the pictures.
But the story of "The Rainbow Fish" was just part of the assignment the Mountain Home High School art teacher had in mind for the children. She hoped the pictures accompanying the tale would inspire them to create something similar during a project that followed story time.
Helping these youngsters unlock their creative talents remained the focus of Raub's annual art camp last week. Held in the high school annex, the week-long program encouraged youngsters to express their creativity through various projects.
Celebrating its sixth year in Mountain Home, Raub started the program shortly after she joined the school district. Originally, she geared the club for preschoolers to those up to age 14. However, low attendance in the upper age groups prompted her to tailor the club for those ages 5 to 11.
Art can make kids a bit anxious at first and cause some to doubt their abilities -- a point Raub hoped to remedy through the art camp. What they learn during the week is that art remains a "very forgiving outlet" and allows children to express themselves in their own way.
During the camp, these students had opportunities to experiment in an assortment of art mediums, from working with pencils and paint to creating collages and clay figures.
"It's a blast. It's just so much fun because they have so much energy," Raub said.
Two of the teacher's former students volunteered their free time to help teach the classes.
Nicole Blanchard, who graduated from the high school last month, remembered the fun she had participating in the camp when she was younger. A long-time member of the high school's Artopia group, she wanted to get youngsters interested in art and help them find creative outlets over the summer break. "Art is a good emotional outlet for people and a form of relaxation," Blanchard said.
Jessica Milford also considered art an important outlet, especially in young children. Milford, who also graduated this year, enjoyed the company of the high school's art community and wanted to share that experience with others.
"It gets them to think in different ways versus the structured environment of a classroom," Milford said. "In here, they get to be a lot more creative, and it helps them become their own person."
Each child had their own unique reasons for joining the class.
"I'm good at drawin' 'cause I do sketch pads and such," said Tucker Blanksma as he inscribed his name onto a piece of paper as part of Thursday's class.
"I got into it because I like art and wanted to be a better artist," added Abigail Acarregui. The eight year old especially loves to paint -- a talent she learned from her grandmother.
"I wanted to experience things I didn't know how to do in art," said Brady McCurry. The eight year old admitted he may want to become an artist when he grows up if he's unable to be a blacksmith and a ninja, which he considers his dream job.