January 19, 2005

Fantastic artists

Fairy/Fantasy art class features all manner of magical beings

By Carol South
Herald contributing writer

Saturday's Creative Child Art Class unleashed the creativity of 25 area youth, ages 7-14, who spent three hours creating fantasy drawings and creatures in clay. Mermaids, fairies, unicorns, winged horses and other magical beings abounded during the Fairy/Fantasy class, as the children worked with watercolor paints, watercolor pencils and clay.
"What I'm pushing for is to get them a fine arts experience and give them the seeds for them to explore when they go home," said Merrily Bauer, longtime instructor for the Creative Child classes. "And for the rest of their lives - art is a life-long journey."
The classes are part of the Art Center Traverse City's many offerings for both adults and children.
Two more Creative Child Art Classes are scheduled for this session: Pastels on January 22 and Inks on January 29. The classes run from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. and the cost is $12; participants should bring a sack lunch. The Art Center Traverse City is located at 720 S. Elmwood, Suite 3; for more information, call 941-9488.
The next Creative Child session will begin in February and will continue on Saturday mornings through May. This summer, Bauer will also teach three art camps for children, two held at the Traverse Area District Library and one in Elk Rapids.