PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — For many children and teens, summer means hanging out with friends and trying out some fun activities together. But for those who are involved in Wintergreen Arts Center’s summer Art With HeART classes, the season also means bonding with both old and new friends while creating unique arts and crafts along the way.
Art With HeART is a course that brings together instructor Shaye McHatten, 20, of Mapleton, and local teen volunteers with students in kindergarten through grade 8 to work on special themed art projects twice a week. Classes are held at The Lighthouse in Presque Isle, which is owned by the Presque Isle Wesleyan Church and serves as an outreach center for families who live in neighboring apartments owned by the Presque Isle Housing Authority.
McHatten, who recently completed her sophomore year at Champlain College in Burlington, Vermont, has returned home for her second year as a Wintergreen summer arts instructor. She also teaches photography at Wintergreen, dance at the Sargent Family Community Center, and arts and crafts at the Presque Isle Rehab and Nursing Center. She also hosts a Teen Art Night at The Lighthouse every Thursday.
Wintergreen’s six-week summer arts program began in 2009 as a way for the center to expand its course offerings to children and teens and reach out to more members of the community.
“We have different themes each week to get them even more excited about the arts and crafts activities,” McHatten said, about Art with HeART. “With the younger children, I’ll read a story aloud to them that connects with the activity to promote early literacy skills.”
On Wednesday, July 18, some of Wintergreen’s youngest summer arts students grabbed their paint brushes and had a blast mixing colors for pictures based on that week’s wildlife theme. Other arts and crafts themes will include “Rainbow Week,” “Movie Week” and “Earth Week.”
“I like that we can get together and make new friends,” Stephen Marcil, 6, said about his favorite part of Art with HeART. Marcil has participated in summer arts since last year.
Victoria Casey, 10, is a first-time Wintergreen summer arts student.
“It’s a great way for us to work on our arts skills when we’re not in school,” Casey said.
McHatten hopes that students leave the course feeling like they have gained much more than just another hands-on summer activity.
“When students come here, they form a little community with each other and that’s a really special thing to see,” she said. “I’d love for them to not only gain a lifelong love for art but also feel like they’re a part of something bigger than themselves.”
-
- Wintergreen summer arts volunteer Krista Williams, 14, (left), assists Mariah Bradstreet, 9, during the July 18 Art with HeART class at The Lighthouse in Presque Isle. Also pictured is Camryn Ames, 4, (right). (Melissa Lizotte)
-
- Avah McKenney, 8, (left) paints during Wintergreen Arts Center’s Art with HeART class at The Lighthouse in Presque Isle on July 18. Also pictured are, from McKenney’s left, Mariah Bradstreet, 9, Cami Cowett, 5, and Camryn Ames, 4. (Melissa Lizotte)
