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Community volunteers give Central Elementary students a taste of art

October 02, 2012|By Bob Flynn

Once a week for the past five weeks, students at Central Elementary School have had a chance to try their hands at several different forms of art during the school’s Arts at Central program.

A group of local artists are teaming with Central to bring various art forms — which the school could not provide on its own — into the school for the students to enjoy including woodworking, origami, crochet, charcoal and chalk drawing, dance, drama, singing and crafting.

Principal Lisa Smith said the idea behind the program was to bring things to the students that they might otherwise never see.

“I wanted our children to have an opportunity to be exposed to different types of art that we don’t always have time to do in the school system,” Smith said. “We thought we would try it for six weeks and see how the children responded and how the artists responded, and I think everyone has had a good time.”

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Smith solicited the help of Clark County Community Education Director Cora Heffner in finding artists willing to join the effort and in a short time. Five were quickly onboard; James Kalston, Angie Johnson, Hillary Pesina, Jill Nesbitt and Fara Fox Tyree. Central teachers Jessica Pedigo and Becky Rigsby also volunteered to do classes in Zumba and keyboarding, respectively.
With one week left in the inaugural Arts at Central, Smith said it has been a hit with the students.

“The kids love it. The artists are giving their time and doing this out of love and we really appreciate it and the kids appreciate the time and effort they’ve put into to this,” Smith said. “It is good for the kids to get to experience different things. And you never know what is going to strike a chord with one of the children and they might find their life’s work.”

Smith said the program has been so successful that she would like to see it continue and grow if more artists can be found to participate.

Anyone wishing to participate in the Arts at Central program in the future can contact Heffner at 745-3946 or at cora.heffner@clark.kyschools.us, or Smith at Central Elementary School at 744-2243.

Contact Bob Flynn at bflynn@winchestersun.com.

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