‘Arty Party’ Gives Kids the Opportunity To Get Creative the Old-Fashioned Way

Posted by John C Arkin on January 6th, 2013

In this time and age where kids are more exposed to smartphones, tablets, Xbox, and other sophisticated tech devices we sometimes wish they go back to doing the simple pleasures in life. For example, playing obstacle course in the backyard, snacking on fruit popsicles with friends in your home, playing in the treehouse at your yard or their friends’, blowing bubbles or getting crafty.

At Parkersburg Art Center in West Virginia, there’s an activity called Saturday Arty Party where kids can just be kids. That means, they can create journals and draw whatever their imagination desires.

“My grandson Owen came here during the summer for the art center’s art camp and now his sister really wants to come this year because he had so much fun,” Carla Holbert, of Mineral Wells, told the Parkersburg News and Sentinel. She brought her grandchildren — 7-year-old Owen Pratt and 6-year-old Lucy Pratt, during the first “Arty Party” of the new year. ”We will probably try to be here for the other ‘Arty Parties’ because it gives the kids something fun to do on a cold Saturday.”

According to program facilitator Katie Ferguson, children are introduced to a new media or project each week, allowing them to use their imaginations and be artistically creative. The program is free to the public due to a gift from the Sisters of Saint Joseph Charitable Fund.

“We have been doing these ‘Arty Parties’ for some time now and it’s great to see the kids having such fun with it,” Ferguson said. “By coming here, families get to do activities together and children can use their creativity and be artistic, which is lacking a lot in schools.”

The next Arty Party will have a theme called “tempura painting” and will be held Jan. 12. On Jan. 19, children will get to enjoy “printing with unusual items,” and the final party will be “milk carton creations” on Jan. 26.

The free program is held from 10 am to noon for children ages 12 and under and a parent. A new lineup of classes will begin Feb. 18 at the art center. Interested parties can check further details at Parkersburg Art Center.