Animals of the jungle, the farm and the forest will shine this summer as the Armstrong Spallumcheen Museum &Art Gallery hosts its annual Painting in the Park.
This year’s theme, Art Gone Wild, will feature a new animal-themed project each week, and program coordinator Katie Beatty has been busy coming up with ideas for the program which is geared towards kids ages five to 12.
“It’s for anybody who likes being outside or doing art or both or either, and it’s just a way to learn about this year’s theme, Art Gone Wild!, which is animals, to learn about different animals and habitats,” said Beatty, one of two summer students hired by the museum this year. “We’ll have set projects for every day, and we’ll have volunteers to help the kids to improve their art skills and to learn about the inspiration and different animals.”
ASMAS has been offering Painting in the Park since 2002 and the fun takes place in Memorial Park in Armstrong. The six-week program gives kids the chance to get creative outside and to learn about the world’s many environments which host different animals.
“So each day we pick a different environment and then we choose a few animals that are going to be our inspiration,” said Beatty. “The first day will be aquatic animals and we’ll make a jellyfish our of a paper plate and streamers to hang from your ceiling.”
Other fun projects include a paper plate turtle, getting crafty with pine cones and turning pop bottles into piggy banks.
In addition to aquatic animals, the program will have kids learning about animals from the jungle, insects, farm animals and animals that are native to Canada.
“On the last day, kids will be able to take what they’ve learned and create their own animals,” said Beatty, who grew up in Vernon and is a student at UBC in Vancouver.
While kids are encouraged to sign up for the full six weeks, Beatty said drop-ins are more than welcome. It’s $50 for the full program or $10 to drop in, and there is a discount available for children whose parents volunteer or for families with several children who want to take part.
The program takes place Thursdays July 13, 20, 27 and Aug. 3, 10 and 17, from 1 to 3 p.m. each day, under the gazebo in Memorial Park, Armstrong.
The registration form for Painting in the Park 2017 can be found at www.ArmstrongSpallumcheenArt.com and can be dropped off at the museum and art gallery, 3415 Pleasant Valley Rd., or just stop by the gallery to register. For more information, call 250-546-8318 or email asmas@telus.net