ArtReach program gives children an outlet

An art program designed for children in south Cape Girardeau could be the launching point for the artists of tomorrow.

The program, ArtReach, is a free after-school art workshop that began Tuesday at The Bridge Outreach Center at 428 S. Frederick St. According to organizers, ArtReach is a way to introduce children who live in an underserved part of the community to art education and an outlet where they can express themselves.

"We have areas in Cape where access to after-school programs is limited," said Murielle Gaither, executive director of the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri. "ArtReach offers a safe place where kids can come after school and have their lives impacted in a positive way."

Ten children took advantage of the ArtReach session Tuesday, where they were instructed by a team of volunteers in how to make pots out of clay.

"I've never worked with clay," said Micah Ledbetter, a fifth-grader at Central Middle School. "I've worked with Play-Doh before, but not clay."

Tayo Rivers scores the edges of his pinch pot, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2013, during the ArtReach program at The Bridge in Cape Girardeau. (Laura Simon)

Tyra Jackson, a sixth-grader at Central Middle School, said she had heard about ArtReach at school.

"I wanted to do it," she said. "It's fun to do things that are about art."

Such attitudes are what Gaither said she was hoping for when she got the idea for ArtReach nearly a year and a half ago.

"I had been involved with something similar to ArtReach when I attended Vanderbilt University," she said. "I was involved in an after-school art program that brought art education to the urban areas of Nashville. I wanted to make something like that happen here."

Gaither said the Arts Council board approved of her idea, but the project was put on the back burner for a while. A pilot ArtReach program eventually was launched in April at The Bridge.

Dante Rivers watches Mimi Higgins work on her pinch pot, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2013, during the ArtReach program at The Bridge in Cape Girardeau. (Laura Simon)

"It lasted a month," she said, "and it was a success. We had 15 kids take part in it, and I knew we'd be able to do it again."

Art supplies used in ArtReach are left over from the Southeast Missouri State University's summer Art Academy. Carol Horst, an ArtReach instructor and coordinator of the Art Academy, said she thought ArtReach was a great idea after discussing it with Gaither.

"The children we want to reach usually don't have the opportunity to explore the creative process," Horst said. "We wanted to get them away from crayons so that they can explore their sense of self in a low-pressure environment."

Horst said in addition to working with clay, children also will be taught how to create soap carvings, paper masks and copper-relief sculptures.

"But the important thing isn't what they actually produce," she said. "What's important is seeing them build relationships with the volunteers and how they view themselves as they create. They can do anything they set their minds to."

The possibility of a scholarship to Southeast's Art Academy exists for ArtReach students, Horst said.

"Students in ArtReach who really show a passion for art will be awarded Art Academy scholarships," she said.

The Bridge is a part of LaCroix United Methodist Church's community-outreach program. Mike Litz, a LaCroix staff member, said ArtReach serves the mission of the church well.

"We love it," Litz said. "The hands-on activity here really engages the young people. They love it, too, and it's a positive learning experience."

Gaither said there are plans to expand ArtReach into other areas of Cape Girardeau.

"It depends on the grant we receive, but we'd like to bring ArtReach to the Community Counseling Center, the Tailor Autism Institute and Jefferson Elementary," she said.

The ArtReach program will hold art classes at The Bridge every Tuesday through Oct. 29. The program could resume in the spring, Gaither said.

"I think we're going to see enough participation to justify another ArtReach workshop," she said. "It's a very important program. So long as we can continue to reach young minds, it's a success."

For information on how to become a volunteer for ArtReach, call Gaither at 334-9233.

klewis@semissourian.com

388-3635

Pertinent address: 428 S. Frederick St., Cape Girardeau, MO