Allen County youth learned more about their communities during the Heritage Arts Camp this week. The camp’s theme is “Architecture, Industry and Daily Living.”
Lisa Wicoff was the leader of the four-day camp that ends today.
“I wanted to pass down crafts to the kids so they can have a past-time and develop a hobby,” Lisa said.
Campers spread out across the Bowlus Fine Arts Center and the Flewharty-Powell Annex to create different projects.
Clara Wicoff helped instruct sewing in the Mary L. Martin Art Gallery at the Bowlus. The Wicoffs purchased T-shirts at the Senior Center’s second-hand clothing store and students designed them into bags.
“They can put things like jacks, dice and a deck of cards in the bag for when they are bored,” Lisa said.
On Wednesday morning the students took tour of area buildings to study stained glass. Afterward, they made a stained glass project with Kathy Shelby. Students painted thrift store glassware and made colorful designs. Other campers took time to create journals.
Tuesday the campers took a tour of the Iola square. They visited the bandstand on the square and the historical society to learn more about the town’s history.
Monday the students took a trip to Humboldt to learn about the cement industry. Campers toured Monarch Cement. After their visit to Monarch they traveled to the amphitheater at the Neosho River Park. Back at camp the kids decorated cement pavers with colorful stones for their yards.
Campers hopped on the Molly Trolley today with Donna Houser for a tour of buildings built during the Great Depression through the Works Progress Administration. After the tour they were to stop at King’s and Dairy Queen for treats.
The camp is sponsored by the Sleeper Family Trust.
