Area grad inspires kids through classes
The Butler Art Center hosted a weeklong kids art camp in June taught by Slippery Rock University graduate Alina Glath.
Glath graduated in 2020 with a bachelor of fine arts and a concentration in the age groups kindergarten through 12th grade.
At college she taught paint classes as fundraisers for the Honors College, and every once in a while taught lessons for some professors in the art department.
“I've always had an interest in creating,” Glath said. “Whenever I was little, I would be creating, and we would go on roadtrips where I started drawing on my own until there were classes offered to help develop techniques.”
Just as Glath was able to strengthen her techniques in art during high school classes, she wanted to interest other kids in art as well.
The June camp encompassed themes of art history, and famous artists and their techniques. From Michelangelo to Sheila Hicks, the classes embodied traditionally famous artists and contemporary ones.“We wanted to teach the kids about famous artists and the techniques those artists used to grasp what it was like to do the things they did,” Glath said. “For Michelangelo, we had (the kids) sculpt and colors underneath tables to resemble the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.”Glath said that when the kids first came to the classes they were shy and everyone was getting to know one another, but she could see them opening up throughout the week.Continuing classes“I was telling the parents about the next camp opportunity, Aug. 9 to 13, and the kids were asking about knowing when they can come back,” Glath said.Seeing the kid's excitement for art was rewarding to Glath. For Michelangelo day, she had the kids share their art with the class and have everyone ask questions, similar to a mini critique.“It varied with each kid,” Glath said. “Some took it seriously and some were funny. The kids had questions and they were responsive to answering them.”Glath hopes to carry this excitement and participation to the next camp in August, themed Art and Nature, which is right up her alley.“I have always loved art and nature,” Glath said. “My main inspiration is nature. I have a deep background in faith, and seeing God as an artist inspires me.”The Art and Nature camp will run from 10 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday for first through sixth grades at the Butler Art Center, 344 S. Main St.Those interested in participating can sign up for the whole week or for an individual day or two.Respectively, the class topics fall in the following order from Monday through Friday: Clay Day, Draw an Animal Day, Camp Art Day, Paint Day, and Flowers and Plant Day.Anyone can register on the Butler Art Center website, butlerartcenter.org.Glath also displays her work at shows when she finds the opportunity. Coming up she is creating a piece for a show called Art of the Bloom at the art center, which focuses on traditional art and floral pieces.“I surprise myself,” Glath said. “Sometimes I would go into something without a lot of confidence, but art is a process.”
