Welcome summer creativity with the Chilliwack Community Arts Council’s upcoming schedule of interactive art and culinary-themed classes led by a talented group of instructors.
Several weekly featured programs will be offered for kids aged 3-12 throughout July and August, plus there are many other afternoon and evening classes running until the end of September for kids as young as two years old, right up to adults.
With incredible enthusiasm and teaching expertise, the team who will be running the weekly featured programs is set to inspire and entertain with kid-friendly arts activities throughout the summer.
Leading the team is program facilitator, Alysha Klassen, who is completing her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of the Fraser Valley. With her passion for art of every form, Klassen is keen to provide opportunities for others to explore their own creativity and unique ways of expression. For that reason, she plans to follow a career path that will enable her to teach the visual arts to children and adults.
Program assistant, Brooke Riel, joins the team with great enthusiasm for the arts and over six years of volunteer experience coordinating summer camp programs. Riel is currently working towards her Bachelor of Arts at the University of the Fraser Valley. Upon completion, she will enter the Teacher’s Education program, embarking on a career in teaching.
Darien Unger, program councillor, is joining the summer team for her second consecutive year. Unger has just graduated high school and plans to further her education in the field of Biology. She is looking forward to motivating, supporting, and encouraging kids to create and have fun.
Rounding out the team as the second enthusiastic program councillor, Jordyn Boonstra is an Art Pre-Occupational Therapy major attending Walla Walla University. With Boonstra’s love of being creative and inspiring others to create, she will be continuing her education in the coming year, working towards a masters’ degree in Art Therapy.
This talented crew will be coordinating a full line-up of entertaining and educational programs for children throughout the summer. Upcoming classes tailored to young artists include:
Little Big Planet (Ages 3 to 6): Nature inspired arts activities geared towards re-purposing materials and recycling. Held on Mondays, 9 to 11 a.m.
Crayon Crew (Ages 3 to 6): Fun and creatively themed arts and crafts classes. Held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 to 11 a.m.
Crafty Chefs (Ages 3 to 6): Workshops for kids who love to be in the kitchen. Held on Wednesdays, 9 to 11 a.m.
The Art Experiment! (Ages 7 to 12): Art meets science as students engage in exploratory, lab-based art activities. Held on Mondays, 1 to 3 p.m.
Kreative Kids (Ages 7 to 12): Challenging and fun arts and crafts projects. Held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1 to 3 p.m.
Cooking Club (Ages 7 to 12): Kitchen safety, measurements, recipes and more. Held on Wednesdays, 1 to 3 p.m.
In addition to the featured children’s programming, a selection of single session and series-based classes for all ages will be offered throughout the summer and into the fall. Artists both young and young-at-heart will sharpen their drawing skills with Mad for Manga, an expressive Japanese comic book drawing style, and Coloured Pencil Techniques, alongside Print Carving and Watercolour, and Play with Polymer – Tiny House which will have young architects crafting their own miniature homesteads.
Cooking classes, Chana Chaat and Chai, and Pakistani Breakfast will introduce flavourful recipes perfect for summer entertaining, while returning favourites, Soap Making for Beginners, and Melt and Pour Soap Making will lather up an array of hands-on techniques. For adult artists, Corks and Canvas, and Beer and Brushes will whet the artistic palette with sparkling libations.
Expanding the creative possibilities, Intro to Improv, led by SimPhoney Improv group founder, David Hobson, will have young actors practicing their comedic improvisation skills. Beyond the fun and laughter, students will be introduced to ways for using their acting chops in everyday life, giving them the confidence to deal with a variety of situations.
Say “hello” to summer with the Chilliwack Community Arts Council’s upcoming summer classes for all ages. Class registration and more information are available online at chilliwackartscouncil.com, in-person at 20-5725 Vedder Rd., or over the phone by calling 604-769-2787.
Pre-registration is required as space is limited and classes fill quickly. Printed program guides are also available by visiting the Chilliwack Community Arts Council.