Students Make Their Mark at Art Camp

Youngsters at concluded a week-long art camp Saturday with a gallery opening of student work.

"The kids learn the freedom of expression," parent Arita Izquierdo Engman said, "and some kids don't get the chance to be creative anymore."

Engman's daughter, Ariana Isabella, said she would be back for the next camp. The seven-year-old student had the opportunity to create artwork in pastels, chalk, pencil, and other media under the guidance of teacher Karla Kruze.

"We tried to focus on one artist and one style a day," Kruze said. "It's important to get the theory and hands-on lessons."

Kruze, who teaches in the Compton Unified School District, said that art can help build confidence for children — that artists can develop their own styles — but it may be infrequent that students get a chance to study art in school.

Danna Larson, the director of the church's education and family ministries, said the camp brought in local teachers from all around to introduce students to various art forms.

Illustrator and art camp teacher Beverly Hopkins Hall, whose daughter teaches in the Pomona Unified School District, said she was impressed with the students' quickness to pick up calligraphy and was happy to see the children enjoying their creations.

"I was around their age when I started," Hopkins Hall said. "To see them enjoy art like I did is a pleasure."

For more information on Northminster Presbyterian Church's youth programs, visit their youth activities webpage.