A new youth art program called An Art Experience will be conducted at Idaho State University Saturday mornings April 5 through May 31 in Room 303 of the Fine Arts Building.
The idea was art graduate student Lori McPherson’s, who got the idea from a college she attended outside of Idaho.
“For my assistantship at [West Virginia University], I helped out with an art education program under an absolutely amazing professor that let me coordinate the summer programs, and I knew I wanted to do something like that in Idaho for the kids,” said McPherson.
The Master of Fine Arts student works as a teaching assistant at the Idaho Falls Campus and is the main facilitator for An Art Experience.
“This is my second year here, and I wanted to wait until this year to start the program so that I would be acclimated to the area,” said McPherson.
Children ages seven to nine will have their sessions from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. “We’re separating the groups because, especially with the younger groups, they have different motor skills and interpret art differently,” said McPherson. “The younger group is an extremely creative group too.”
Children ages 10 to 14 will have a session from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
“Because this group is older, we can do things like clay work and printing,” said McPherson. “I like getting in there with the children and seeing what they would like to do, what their skill ability is and what interests them, as opposed to having a set curriculum.”
Tuition for the course is $75 for the younger group, and the tuition for the older group is $80.
“The way that I teach is not just a project they’re going to do, it’s learning the process and learning through art,” said McPherson.
To reserve a spot in the programs, email Lori McPherson at ude.usinull@irolhpcm. Payment is through cash or check only. The tuition must be paid in full by April 5.
Tuition covers all art materials but donations are welcome by the community. Necessary materials include newspapers, manila folders, spoons, forks, butter knives, paper towels, toilet paper, yarn, string, buttons, fabric, shoe boxes, magazines, craft items, wire, plastic bags, aprons, cardboard, sewing items, pencils and pens.