Luseland Library hosts summer camps and art classes
By Joan Janzen
LUSELAND - The Luseland Library kept both kids and adults busy throughout the summer months at their summer camps and art classes. On Tuesday afternoon, August 19th, seventeen kids turned out for the final kids camp of the summer. “It was our largest turnout!” Dawna Nienaber, Luseland’s librarian, announced. The children ranged in age from 6 to 12 years, with six children from the local daycare joining in the fun.
These kids proudly display the crafts they made at Luseland Library’s final camp for the summer on Tuesday afternoon, August 19th. Photo by Dawna Nienaber
Jared Fischer conducted three different art classes at the Luseland Library during July and August. The classes included oil painting, watercolour, and clay sculptures. Photo by Dawna Nienaber
The “On the Farm” theme was a good fit for this agricultural district. “I was very impressed with our knowledgeable little farmers,” Dawna said. “We had a great discussion about all the types of farming, specifically in our area.”
The afternoon included story time, creating paper scarecrows to keep pesky birds away, followed by snack time, which was also a learning experience. “I had the kids list all the ingredients and what kind of farm they came from,” Dawna said.
The camp ended with the kids making their very own farm-themed canvas library bags. “The kids absolutely loved this! I even had some kids return the next day to paint the other side,” she said. The camp was made possible thanks to the Community Initiative Fund Grant. But the summer activity at the Luseland Library wasn’t done quite yet.
“Nine budding artists joined me and our local art guru, Jared Fischer, to create some wonderful pieces with air-dry clay on Thursday evening,” Dawna explained. Jared had also held oil painting and watercolour classes in July that were both well attended.
Jared and Dawna demonstrated to the group of young people how to dry flowers and leaves in the microwave and incorporate them into their clay projects. The kids made trinket trays, leaf bowls and other creative projects, which will be painted the following week after the pieces have dried completely. “Both the summer camps and the art classes were well attended and so much fun. I hope to apply for the grant again next year and run similar programs,” Dawna concluded.