Integrating Art and Community
P.O. Box 1303, Station A. Fredericton, NB E3B 5C8
Tel: 506 455-9425 Fax: 506 455-9820 E-mail: glencros@nbnet.nb.ca
The sum is greater than the parts when local artists get together with kids to explore creativity.
Fredericton Arts and Learning (FAL) has been the catalyst setting up workshops with prominent Fredericton artists and youngsters from the three Boys and Girls Clubs in Skyline Acres, Devon and Estey Bridge. This year’s sessions run from November to February.
This is the second year of the program, which has seen young people shoot a film, create a DVD with digital photography, record “found sound”, and design cool tie-dyed T-shirts. Other workshops offer mask-making, storytelling, painting, dance and creative movement, jewelry making, theatre and improvisation, and designing a new board game.
The program reaches children from a broad range of backgrounds, some of whom may not have much chance to discover their artistic talents.
“I was thoroughly impressed by the high level of participation,” said Lisa Shortall, Program Director of the Skyline Boys and Girls Club.
The artists involved are all respected professionals and enjoy their energetic new audiences. Filmmaker Tony Merzetti said, “I found the experience immensely rewarding and the young children were most responsive and enthusiastic throughout the whole workshop.” Joel LeBlanc of Hot Toddy, shared his creative process and was a role model for aspiring artists.
The leaders for 24 workshops include: Janice Wright Cheney, Andrew Miller, Karen Ruet, Leigh Rivenbark, Sue Lambropolous, Alexandra Flood, Zsuzsa Szabo-Nyardy, Beth Crawfod, Sarah Petite, Joel Leblanc, Monica Macdonald, Tony Merzetti, Cathie LeBlanc, , and Patrick Perry.
FAL intends to offer similar programming in a new arts and learning centre in the old Charlotte Street School as well as continue its outreach efforts. Funding for the workshops was provided by the City of Fredericton’s Culture and Heritage juried program and the Province’s Arts Development Branch.
Charlotte Glencross: 506 455-9425, <glencros@nbnet.nb.ca>