ARTS COMMISSION

News release

The Arts Commission’s office is in the Old Schoolhouse at Constitution Square and school children are definitely some of our favorite people. The Boyle County Farmers’ Market is held at Constitution Square and we all love to eat. So, what could be more fun than to gather a bunch of children together and create a little food-related art at farmers’ market?

Well, how about adding a great book and an opportunity to meet, talk, and shop with some of our wonderful local farmers!

The Arts Commission began a partnership with BCFM a couple years ago when the market board asked the Commission to reach out to local artists to interest them in participating in the market. Several artists have become regular vendors contributing a creative dimension to the products for sale.

The market has local musicians and performers frequently, adding even more local talent to the atmosphere. Two Saturdays during the summer, the local Plein Air artists group will be set up to paint the colorful scenes of farmers, shoppers, and even other artists.

What seemed to be missing was something just for the children.

Through a grant from the Good Foods Co-op Foundation, the Arts Commission is offering four Saturdays of activities for children ages 4 – 11 this summer. Two of the activities are planned for the K – 3rd grade, and two for 3rd – 5th grade.

Activities are scheduled for the fourth Saturday of each month from May to August.  Activities will begin at the Old Schoolhouse at 9 a.m. and preregistration is necessary.

Special guest teachers will be guiding the children through the art activity each week. At the conclusion of the art project, each participant will receive a theme related book to keep.

In addition, each child will receive a $10 voucher to spend at the market. The voucher part of the activity will give the children the opportunity to visit farmers and talk about their local products. The farmers will then be reimbursed by the Arts Commission for their sale.

The first program is May 22 and the guest teacher is James Ross who is well known around the area through his involvement with school programs, the community garden, and the Garden Club of Danville.

James will help the young children decorate a container which can be used to plant seeds.  Soil is provided, too. The first book is “The Earth Gives More” by Sue Fliess. The program is free because of the support of the Good Foods Co-op Foundation and the Arts Commission.

To preregister, email arts@historicdanvilleky.com with name(s) and age(s) of children and contact information of parent(s) or guardian. There is a limit of two children per family and a family member is asked to stay with the children during the activity.

Future activities will include basket weaving, print making, and painting. Some activities may be postponed due to weather conditions.

For additional information, contact Mimi Becker at the Arts Commission at the email address above.