AABC's art camp reaches out to new generation
Youngsters wrapped up a four-day art camp Thursday morning at the Associated Artists of Butler County, painting and decorating masks of all shapes and sizes.
The Art Center, located along Butler's Main Street, began hosting the children's camps this summer for the first time in recent memory.
“What we want to do is bring new life to The Art Center,” said Eileen Stroup, who's been an art educator there since December. “We're trying to figure out what the community wants and get the word out.”
Thirteen youths ages 6 to 12 worked on three projects during the week, including a mosaic plaque, a painted stretched canvas and a mask.
For 7-year-old Lydia Scardina, her family cat, Baxter, was a big inspiration. Baxter was featured in the mosaic she made and her canvas painting. On canvas, she painted her pet a bright pink, surrounded by hearts.
“My mom got him a long time ago,” Lydia said. “He's in his 80s in cat years.”
On Thursday, she painted a large mask yellow. She decided to make it a minion, a character that's featured in the “Despicable Me” movies. Her brothers, Anthony, 11, and Henry, 10, also participated in the art camp.
Sitting at an adjacent table, 8-year-old Schuyler Hensler painted his mask a bright blue.
“I'll name him when I'm done,” he said with a smile.
The face featured large eyes. He sorted through yarn to determine how do attach hair. He said art is probably his favorite class in school, so he has enjoyed being able to do projects like this during the summer.
“Once you give them the materials,” Stroup said, “It's amazing how their brains work.”
Stroup also credited Michele Marchak, an art camp coordinator, for contributing many ideas.
“She's great at doing projects that span age differences,” she said.
While the art camp is over, a five-day art and drama camp kicks off at the center on Monday. To register or for more information, go to http://www.aabcartcenter.com.
