COMMUNITY RALLIES TO GIVE KIDS AN ARTFUL SUMMER

By Carol Attridge

GAINESVILLE, GA. - The Quinlan Visual Arts Center is alive and well this summer, boiling over in fact -- admidst these 90+ temperatures -- with the energy and enthusiasm of hundreds of kids ranging in ages from the first grade to fifth graders and up. One hundred and eighty-three of these kids are attending Art Camp 2011 on scholarships, thanks to generous donations and support from the community.

"I'd just be at home", says Alexandria Johnson, 11, "but here I get to feel special and be my creative self."

The fifth graders were busy last week making masks under the direction of instructor and Art Camp Director, Fox Gradin. "To be so crazy," jokes Alexandria, "Ms. Fox is a really great teacher." Alexandria proudly displayed her 'Princess Indian', a mask painted bright pink and topped with feathers. "When I look at my art," she explains with a laugh and then a grimace, "I feel somewhere between WOW! and PHEW!"

"When I make art," Logan Burson, 11, adds, "I feel proud to make something that lasts, something I get to keep." His mask, 'Bird Man,' is "half-bird, half-man," he says. Half of the mask is indeed covered in feathers, "and I made the beak from an ice cream cup!"

Approximately 150 of the kids attending Art Camp this summer were able to do so through the generous funding of a private family foundation. Thirty-three others received scholarships after the Quinlan appealed to the community. "We visited Kiwanis," explains Amanda McClure, Executive Director, "and posted our needs on Facebook and our Web site, but we still have children on the waiting list."

Publix donated the funds for art supplies, and Hot Dog Fridays is a special treat, thanks to The Collegiate Grill in June and Nathan's & Brewster's of Oakwood in July. When I arrived for a visit last Friday, the kids were spilling over into the parking lot where the ever-entertaining Magical Mr. Jeff McClure was amazing these savvy kids with his balloon magic.

"Art Camp is our favorite program," Amanda continued. Art Camp has been a tradition for North Georgia families for over a decade. "We look forward to it each summer. We've literally seen kids grow up here year after year, and often they come back later to volunteer."

Art Camp, running from June 6 - July 29, has one-week sessions this summer, and the theme for 2011 is "Pop Art", based on what kids are into now: movies, books, cartoons, even super heroes. "The kids get excited about each project," says instructor Heather Parra. "They all love to make art."

Displaying her mask, 'Will O' the Wisp Queen' -- decorated with ribbons, beads and buttons, Kennedy Conway, 11, sums it all up. "Making art makes me feel calm, and looking at my art makes me feel happy."

Class tuition includes all supplies and a camp T-shirt with the 2011 design. To sponsor a child at $125 per weekly session, call the Quinlan Visual Arts Center at 770-536-2575 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it