Even though the Summer Art Camps at the E.E. Bass Cultural Arts Center cannot take place due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Greenville Arts Council staff and volunteers have found a creative way for local children to artistically grow.
The Greenville Arts Council is offering age-appropriate art packages for youngsters this summer. Each suitcase-style box will contain a minimum of five projects for each child, with all the necessary materials to create them, including a snack.
The prepaid boxes may be picked up at the Greenville Arts Council during the week of June 8-12, or they can be delivered by request.
Each box costs $60 for GAC members and $75 for non-members. Those interested can call 662-332-2246 to reserve a box.
Local visual arts instructor Sara Wilkerson is coordinating the project, and Melanie Tucker, a board member on the council, is helping to advise the project.
“These boxes are like art therapy for our children,” Tucker said. “Kids may not be able to go out and play with a group of their friends, but they will be able to do these activities. This is a way to help them get through this time, and they won’t even know that they are also getting an art lesson.”
Tucker added that parents will also have a great time with helping their children complete each project.
Different boxes are available for different age groups. By special request, the council has expanded its offerings to include students in grades 6 through 12. Many of the projects will also be connected with a piece of art done by a famous artist.
One of Tucker’s favorite art lessons, for example, is a 3-D sculpture of a spider that children ages 7-8 will receive. This project pays homage to the spider sculpture created by famous American artist Louise Bourgeois.
Members of the arts council also wanted to thank the generosity of local businesses and organizations who helped the council provide scholarships for this program.
The funding for the art boxes was partially provided by the Community Foundation of Washington County, The Kings Daughter Circle 2, and Delta Regional Medical Center.
