Suzie HarrisonA mix of gymnastics and art...

Suzie Harrison

A mix of gymnastics and art might not seem perfectly natural.

But Sue Ezzell and Chris Northridge will tell you it works.

As part of Laguna Beach Community Services summer programs, the

two sisters are working as a team instructing a gymnastics and art

camp together.

Both have both been teaching classes for community services in

Laguna for more than 20 years. Both have an art background and

thought it would be a good idea to have a camp that fosters

creativity and skills both physically and mentally.

The camp consists of two different groups, ages 4 to 7 and 8 to

13. The camp is every Wednesday for four consecutive weeks for about

two hours a session.

“We both teach the gymnastics and the art,” Ezzell said. “In the

auditorium, there’s a ton of gymnastics equipment. We start with some

exercises and tumbling.”

They have a full-size balance beam, uneven parallel bars, a pommel

horse, which the children particularly like, and a trampoline.

Ezell said that they introduce the children to each piece of

equipment one by one, giving each child hands-on, individual

instruction.

“We teach them everything about the equipment,” Ezzell said. “They

learn a lot in this class.”

Every class is a combination of art and gymnastics with an art

room above the gymnasium for their projects.

Northridge said they both get a lot of enjoyment out of teaching

the kids.

“The kids are so easy, they’re like little sponges,” she said.

“They come in and say they can’t do this and are so surprised when

they can. They all can -- it’s so easy to inspire them.”

The children also get a break between classes for a snack and some

time to play in the park.

“We do ceramics, painting and teach the Monart drawing method,”

Ezzell said. “It’s a directed lesson in drawing where kids 3- or

4-years-old can draw. They start by watching you and end up doing

incredible shapes.”

Some of the projects they’ve done include drawing sunflowers, in a

vase on a tablecloth, and ceramics.

“They draw it first with a pencil and come back and paint it later

-- it takes a couple of classes,” Ezzell said. “They come out with a

beautiful pictures and their parents are impressed.

“We made ceramic suns that were hand-sculpted, made out of

earthenware clay, and then they are fired,” Ezzell said. “Yesterday

we got to glaze them and then they’ll be able to take them home.”

Ezzell said it is a popular class, with all the kids who signed up

for the first session having signed up for the second. “That’s how

much they love it.”

She said one of the values of the class is that some of the kids

have never held a paintbrush before. They leave with paintings.

“It’s a real positive experience for them to complete an art

project,” she said. “A lot have not done tumbling, and they have a

successful experience with that too, using their motor skills.”

Many children start out insecure with what they are doing and

build confidence through the process, she added. With only 10

students per class, there is a lot of direct instruction.

The next session is Aug. 6 to 27. To find out more about the

“Gymnastics and Art Camp” or other community services programs, call

497-0716 or pick up a directory at Laguna Beach Community Services at

515 Forest Ave.