By Krystal Smalley
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com
Paint-covered fingers and craft projects are going to be the norm at the Bucyrus Area YMCA this fall. According to Chelsey Linn, Program Coordinator at the Y, children can enroll in two new art classes.
One of the reasons the YMCA is offering the art classes, Linn said, was because many schools have been cutting back on their art programs and they saw an opportunity to provide the community with something that is short supply.
“I am really into art,” Linn said. “It’s just not offered in the community. As far as Bucyrus goes, it’s a small town. You go other places like Columbus, there’s art galleries and art classes – something you can do with friends or even with your children.”
“Whether they are into art and want to find out how it goes or how creative they are or whether they have never tried it before and just want to see if they like it, I think it’s nice to be able to offer all different types of things,” Linn said.
“Before, we were pretty much competing with a lot of people between sports. The schools are offering sports at a way younger age so we got to think out of the box and we have to offer things that people aren’t offering,” explained Linn. “That’s kind of how we went about it.”
The class Tiny Tot Scribblers will be geared toward children ages 1 to 5.
“They’re going to be doing a lot of mixing paints that are all products that could be edible – mixing paints, mixing Play-Doh, learning colors, patterns, measurements, all that kind of stuff. It’s more of a Mommy-Daddy-baby class,” Linn explained. “It should be very interesting, very fun. I’m very excited for it.”
The Tiny Tot Scribblers has been developed to teach children how to explore and express themselves through art. Parents are required to stay with their children during the class. The class will be led by Erin Wilson.
Tiny Tot Scribblers will be offered on Tuesdays from 6 – 6:45 p.m. The price for each class is $9 for a YMCA member or $13 for a non-member. Families can also purchase a full-session of the six-week class for $45 (YMCA member) or $65 (non-member). Supplies are included in the price.
A class called Craft Life will also be offered for children ages 12 and up.
“This one is basically creating home decorations and jewelry – kind of like all that stuff you see on Pinterest that you always wanted to do but you can’t because you don’t know how,” Linn said with a laugh.
Linn said they will be making decorative wreathes, vases, memo boards, leather cuffs, headbands, and bows. The classes will be led by Erica Rham.
Craft Life will be offered on Wednesdays from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. The price for each class is $19 for a YMCA member or $23 for a non-member. Families can also purchase a full-session of the six-week class for $95 (YMCA member) or $115 (non-member). Supplies are included in the price.
Pre-registration is preferred but Linn said parents can sign their children up the night of the class. The sessions will run from Sept. 8 to Oct. 18.
Along with new art classes, the YMCA will also be offering lyrical dance, football, volleyball, gymnastics, and cheerleading.