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Serving Northern St. Louis County, Minnesota

On feathers and paintbrushes

Marcus White
Posted 7/26/18

COOK- Area children had the opportunity to soar on painted wings this week in Cook. The Northwoods Friends of the Arts (NWFA) put on the “Let’s Soar – Art Summer Camp” this past Tuesday and …

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On feathers and paintbrushes

Posted

COOK- Area children had the opportunity to soar on painted wings this week in Cook. The Northwoods Friends of the Arts (NWFA) put on the “Let’s Soar – Art Summer Camp” this past Tuesday and Wednesday at the Cook Community Center.

Volunteers from the art collective and area schools worked with 33 youth from Cook, Nett Lake and Vermilion, to create a mural of colored wings, each depicting how the children viewed themselves and those around them.

“Kids pick the color they want that represents them,” art teacher Susan Anderson said. “It will show self-awareness and connections with others.”

Anderson said the idea was born out of a previous project in Tower that saw students create a mural placed in their school.

The art camp project is designed specifically to travel around the area, making stops not only at local schools, but also the youth centers at Nett Lake and Vermilion. NWFA President Shawna Kishel said other area organizations will be able to request a stop. The piece that will ultimately find a home with at the NWFA gallery.

The arts collective had requested a grant for the program which was denied. The program, Kishel said, was not to be lost, and the group went to the public to find donations to keep the two-day camp on schedule.

A Go Fund Me page, found at https://www.gofundme.com/Lets-Soar-Art-Summer-Camp, has raised a few hundred dollars out of the requested $3,000 for supplies as of press time.

Kishel said local tribal associations also contributed with Fortune Bay Resort Casino paying for the transportation cost for Vermilion students, and the Bois Forte Tribal Council providing the transportation for Nett Lake youth.

The city of Cook donated the building space at the community center.

Kishel said a few private donations have been given as well.

The “Let’s Soar” program is not the only camp going on this summer. The NWFA has four more summer classes planned for August. A watercolor botanicals class is on Aug. 7 for high school-aged kids and adults. An oil pastels class for elementary and middle school students is on Aug. 9, followed by a crayon class for younger children on Aug. 14. The summer will be rounded out by a calligraphy and handwriting class on Aug. 16.

All of the classes are free and located at the gallery at 210 S River St. in Cook. Pre-registration is required, however, and can be done by calling Lisa Hyppa at 218-780-1151.

Northwoods Friends of the Arts, Nett Lake, Vermilion, Cook, Art, Painting, Feathers, Wings