IMAGINE ART: ARTS COUNCIL HOSTS SUMMER CLASSES

Thousands of years ago native Americans carefully sculpted effigy jars for both practical and spiritual purposes. Today, art students in Cape Girardeau are using these effigies as models for their own creativity.

The Southeast Missouri Council on the Arts began its summer art workshops, called "Imagine Art," on Monday for children 6 to 17 years old. The workshops will run until the end of July at the art building on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University. The classes kicked off Monday with a look at ancient forms of art as a foundation for expression.

"We use art history as a springboard for creativity," said instructor Carol Horst, who also teaches art at Jackson public schools. "The students don't copy the effigies and other historical pieces, but they use the idea while keeping their own self identity."

After a day of molding, shaping and chiseling, the aspiring young artists were invited to visit the Art Museum at the university so they could understand historic art methods.

"You can make history of art and art of history," said Charles Haugland, 9. "They really go hand in hand."

Children came from all around the area to participate in the summer workshops. During the first week, the students are exploring sculpture in "Shapes of Images." Next week some will attend "Exploring Images," in which they learn about drawing with graphite, pastels, ink and charcoal. The following week children learn how to paint in watercolor, acrylic and tempera during "Rainbows of Images." And finally they will go to "Illustrating Images," a workshop about using cartoons and designs.

Some students attend all four workshops; others go to only workshops on their favorite subject. Some have a serious interest in art; others just think it's a fun thing to do.

"I just came so that I could make a sculpture of a cat," said Amber Branson, 8. "I like art, but I love cats and I want a sculpture for myself that I made by myself."

The workshop is unlike typical art classes in school. Here, the students get three full hours a day to dig into an in-depth project. In addition, they get to use more sophisticated, expensive equipment.

"These children wouldn't be here if they didn't really want to do this," Horst said. "I love to teach these kids because they love something I love, and they want to learn. They give me a lot of faith in the younger generation."

Horst and the other instructor, Brenda Seyer, use examples to make the students understand the importance of art in daily life. For example, Horst explained relief sculpture by showing the students a quarter -- George Washington's head is the relief.

"It's important that we give them real-life examples," Seyer said. "Art is a part of our everyday life and it's important for these children to learn about it."

The students are spending the week making everything from green clay frogs to paper mache penguins. Some are keeping their projects small, paying attention to detail; others are making sculptures up to 5 feet long.

The summer art sessions have been around for almost 20 years, and are becoming more popular every year. There is a waiting list to get into all sessions.

The university, in an effort to stimulate young minds, offers classroom space and the assistance of art professors. The Art Museum has even put together a special children's exhibit to coincide with the workshops.

"This program is successful because people tell each other about it," Seyer said. "When a student tells someone about it, they become very interested. We have a lot of students come back and we see a lot of brothers and sisters come through here."

Throughout the week each session brings in guest artists to teach the students something about art as a profession, or at least a lifelong hobby.

"There is really no problem inspiring these children," Seyer said. "These students really work hard -- they make 12 to 15 projects a week. Art is a whole new world open to them, and I love being the one to open up those doors."

After the workshop, the best pieces go on display at the university's art museum and at Gallery 100 from Sept. 4-23. After that the children can take them home and do as they please with them.

"The thing I made last year turned into a place to put my pennies," said Haugland. "I didn't mean for it to be that, but it works."