ESTEVAN — After four years of a break, the Estevan Arts Council brought its winter arts camp back to the delight of many local families.
Camps for ages six to seven and eight to 12 attracted a total of 23 kids. Vicki Graham, the arts council's new administrator, who oversaw the camps, said she started putting things together and communicating with other local organizations in January. The efforts resulted in two active and arts-oriented camps.
The four-day camps took place from Feb. 20-23 in the different areas of the Estevan Leisure Centre, where kids had many opportunities to work on different art projects and also enjoy some physical activities.
"They've done mosaics, pointillism, clay, like plasticine art. We did water bottles and tote bags … they got to design them. … They did these really cute trolls. I cut them out of cardboard and left a little slit at the top. And they did yarn hair, did their bellies up with little jewels. They loved the trolls," Graham said, naming some of the many art activities kids got to try during the camp days.
"I like a little bit of structure, but also allow them to be creative and add a touch to things," she added.
The younger group tried many different arts and crafts as well. Participants also had an opportunity to go swimming, have a fitness class with Megan LeBlanc, play laser tag and even experience an escape room and a scavenger hunt.
Graham said, depending on funding, they might consider offering some more programming opportunities further down the line for younger residents.
"Working with kids, I think you have an opportunity to pour into them. They're our future, we need to nurture these abilities and talents. [And create more opportunities for] kids who may just want to explore, learn and just play around, to see what art stuff that they might be interested in," Graham said.
About two years ago, Graham and her family moved from Orangeville, Ont., a town north of Toronto, to Alameda, where she established the Meraki art studio. She has a background in teaching, visual arts and music. She started with the Estevan Arts Council last October.
