Preschool Lab Hosts Summer Arts Camp
Posted on Wednesday, July 8, 2009
The Westminster College Preschool Lab presented its fifth annual summer arts camp for kids June 22-26. The hands-on camp program encouraged children to learn about the arts through visiting with guest artisans, experimenting with different media, and creatively expressing themselves through art.
The Summer Arts Camp for Kids was sponsored by Westminster's Drinko Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning and was taught by preschool teachers Diana Reed, Debi Roud, and college aide Lisa Giardina, a junior Spanish major from New Castle. Twenty-two children, ages four to six, attended from New Wilmington, New Castle, Sharon, Hermitage, Greenville, Sharpsville, and West Middlesex.
Day one of the camp focused on woodworking art with guest artist Jim Moose, who made oak stools for the children to assemble. Ken Romig, Westminster vice president for finance and management services, cut wooden boats for students to paint and put together. One of the camp highlights was floating the wooden boats down Wolf Creek.
Day two was a day of performing art with a field trip to watch a rehearsal of the Campbell Memorial High School students' stage production under the direction of Cynthia Snodgrass Jones, Westminster adjunct faculty in theatre.
The third day highlighted earth art with Stephanie Corrette-Bennett, who discussed the elements of mixing colors and helped the children design their own tie-dye hats.
On day four the artist was Shalyn Eakin, a recent Westminster graduate from Corry who majored in psychology. She led a field trip to the ceramics department and guided campers in throwing pots on the wheel.
Day five concluded the week with local stained glass artist Denise Murphy-Gerber. She showed several examples and demonstrated how to make a pattern and match pieces of glass to the pattern. Students made "stained glass" projects using colored tissue paper.
The Westminster College Preschool Lab is a multi-purpose facility that serves both Westminster and the community. Designed by early childhood experts, the laboratory school is committed to providing an excellent learning experience for the area's children. The program is enhanced by the use of innovative curriculum, well-trained staff, developmentally appropriate equipment, and individual attention. It is accredited by the NAEYC's National Academy of Early Childhood Programs.
The Drinko Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning was created to enrich undergraduate education at Westminster through advancing world-class teaching as well as by participating in collaborations that address community and regional needs including strengthening K-12 education.
Contact Reed at (724) 946-7174 or e-mail reedd@westminster.edu for additional information.
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