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Children's Art Festival coming next Wednesday

This year's festival will feature eight local artists facilitating workshops for children
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Children's Art Festival coordinator Elizabeth Shook's daughter Adalie Shook paints during a preschool art class held this past fall and winter.

Heather Adamson

With the Clearwater Children's Art Festival just around the corner, it is a wonderful time to learn about what motivated coordinator Elizabeth Shook to develop this event in our community.

After attending the Kamloops Children's Art Festival with her own children four years ago, Elizabeth came away feeling inspired to create a locally based experience for the children and families of Clearwater. Although enjoyable, what she felt was missing about her experience in Kamloops was that her children had no connection to the artists.

"I wanted my children to feel connected to the local artistic community. I wanted them to see the artists in the grocery store and think to themselves, 'Hey, I know that person.' They know how to felt wool, and I felted wool with them, we are connected ... maybe I could be an artist like them when I get older."

This vision has remained true over the past three years of coordinating the festival, with a focus not only on the children who attend, but on the artists themselves.

"My goal was not only to provide a fun filled day doing art," Elizabeth explains, "it was also to build connections and relationships with the artists in my community."

As a fine arts graduate and local elementary school teacher, Elizabeth is passionate about blending her love of art with her love of children. She is known for the art experiences she provides for her students, and has chosen to voluntarily coordinate the Clearwater Children's Art Festival during her summers for the benefit of children and families in our community.

This year's festival will feature eight local artists facilitating workshops for children of all ages: Joanne Wright (wool felting), Irene Gouchie (wax resists), Joanna Weber (jewelry creations), Sue Dubois (tissue paper flowers), Eleanor Deckert (drama), Nicole Rushton (rock painting), Robin Walker (acrylic painting), and Doris Scarff (painted fabric bookmarks).

Face painting and musical instrument making will be provided by local youth Emily Giesbrecht, Annie Whelen and Robin Fraser. The performance tent will highlight live interactive music performed by Lloyd Bishop, Sam Willan and her daughter Stefanie.

The feature artist of this year's festival is Helen Knight; there will be a selection of her paintings on display and she will be on hand to meet families and answer questions about her art.

A slip and slide water-play party will end off the day from 2-3 p.m. The event is free to the entire community with a few concession items available for purchase.

 

The Clearwater Children's Art Festival will be on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. on the field of the new Dutch Lake Community Centre. Come enjoy this wonderful opportunity to meet local artists and experience creating art with your children.