2/28/2009 10:35:00 AM Arts teach all the right skills
Darin Epperly/Daily NewsClayton Spray sews a button on the pouch he is making during a class at the Norfolk Arts Center. When finished, he plans to store valuables, such as money, in the pouch.
During a recent after-school art class, Clayton Spray learned more than how to make an Egyptian necklace.
He also learned that the necklaces were commonly worn by pharaohs who once ruled Egypt, and that the African kufi hat is common attire for young African American boys.
He still has the brimless, round kufi cap he made out of paper. And he hopes to fill the Woodabee mirror pouch he was making with money.
"Not that I have much change," he said.
Clayton and several other second- and third-graders recently participated in the Norfolk Arts Center's "Spring for the Arts" classes, which are offered during February, March and April.
INSTRUCTOR Judy Moeller of Norfolk chose to focus this month's projects on African culture because February is Black History Month.
During one class, Moeller showed her students how to sew buttons and other decorations on their pouches. Made from brightly colored fabric, they are used to store valuables - such as money.
Money or not, the pouches are one more accomplishment for young people who have a fondness for art.
By providing after-school art classes, the Norfolk Arts Center is helping fill the gap in arts education caused by cuts to programs in many area schools, said Chris Rempe, the center's assistant director.
"We're not in this to make as much money as we can," Rempe said. "We just want to provide opportunities for kids to experience arts."
CHILDREN WHO participate in the arts benefit in a variety of ways.
For instance, data from the College Entrance Examination Board show that students who participated in four years of arts education scored around 100 points higher on SAT tests than those who took one-half year or less.
They are also more likely to stay in school and participate in community service projects.
"With the arts, you can teach a child the essential skills involved in problem solving and decision making. Arts allow children to learn creative thinking and when working in groups it teaches teamwork and diplomacy skills. It also teaches introspection and self-expression," said Kara Weander-Gaster, the center's executive director.
IN ADDITION to visual arts, the arts center offers opportunities for children to experience performing arts.
Some Norfolk students are currently involved in a program with the Omaha Symphony that will culminate with a performance in April.
And each summer, hundreds of children participate in the Missoula Children's Theater productions.
"Just like anything in life, one size most often does not fit all. A person may hate painting but love pottery or origami," Weander-Gaster said.
THE CHILDREN taking the arts center's classes probably aren't thinking about developing communication skills or stage presence. They are more interested in creating pouches and hats and learning about African culture.
While Skyler Gubbels sewed on her pouch, she talked about why she was in the class. "We can do a lot of different projects that we can't do in school," she said.
