Suzie HarrisonEach week it’s something different. Music....

Suzie Harrison

Each week it’s something different. Music. Printmaking. Watercolor.

Collage.

And by the end of the summer, children taking part in the Festival

of Arts Youth Art Education Days should have a broad knowledge of art

in its many forms.

The program takes place every Wednesday through Aug. 20 and offers

a chance for children to experience a different art medium every

week. The program has been created through a partnership with Laguna

Outreach Community Arts, the festival and No Square Theatre with both

visual and performing arts represented, giving youth exposure to a

wide range of activities.

“The program is very diverse. Not only do we cover the visual arts

but also the performing arts,” Festival of Arts Director of Marketing

and Public Relations Sharbie Higuchi said.

Wednesday’s class was called “Harp Encounter,” which focused on

dance and movement and was taught by Cynthia Artish.

Camille Ring, 10, was among those in Artish’s class who acted out

the characters in a song with small props as they sang -- bringing

life and movement to the music and offering a creative acting type

outlet.

“I wanted to take it because I thought it would be fun, and it was

really fun,” Camille said. “I also took it because I like art and

music.”

Artish said it’s important to teach children to use their own

innate, natural abilities to be creative and use individual

expression, be playful and free.

“It’s hard to get them to use their own imagination and break

through pop culture,” Artish said. “It’s important -- it takes awhile

for them to reach, to think of something that is their own.”

Samantha Purll, 9, said she enjoyed the class because it was very

fun and she finds art and music important.

“We go to LOCA and No Square Theatre looking for a diverse group

of classes,” Higuchi said. “They recommend and gives us suggestions

and we book them every Wednesday.”

The program is divided into two sessions, a morning session for

ages 5 to 8, and an afternoon class for 9- to 13-year old children.

“In between the classes they can take additional art classes at

the printmaking booth, the art workshop booth and on Wednesdays, they

can do Raku,” Higuchi said. “We also have a docent tour on Wednesdays

for kids.”

Mada Leach was teaching a marbling class Wednesday at the art

workshop.

“A lot of the children come over here and do a quick project

before they leave for class,” Leach said. “Marbling is such fun for

everyone and it’s a no fail project.”

Leach said it’s funny to see that the ones who ask the most

questions and are the most reluctant are the proudest of their work

when it’s finished.

“It’s great to see that,” Leach said.

Higuchi said that the classes vary in size with a limit of 15 to

25 per class, depending on the medium.

“This is the fourth year,” Higuchi said. “The concept is based on

the fact that we need to have more activities for art education for

the summer. Kids learn about the arts, visual, music and theater.”

She said it is especially important because funding has been taken

away from schools.

“This offers so much divers education,” Higuchi said. “It’s not

your typical cookie cutter class.”

Hal Lambert taught a watercolor class for youth education a couple

of weeks ago, explaining that with the materials he uses and its

“no-fail” process, the kids feel a lot of self esteem about their

success.

“The important thing is to expose them to different things and let

it be freestyle, so they can create form their own imagination,”

Higuchi said. “There are all sorts of studies that have proved that

children who are involved in the arts have better grades and do

better in school.”

There are three more classes this summer. Roger Folk will be

teaching watercolor next week, on Aug. 6 No Square will be presenting

musical theater, on Aug. 13 Hedy Buzan-Williamson will teach about

early California painters and Mia Moore will teach collage on Aug.

20.

Reservations are required for youth education classes. For

information about these classes or the other art workshops at the

festival call 494-1145. The Festival of Arts is located at 650 Laguna

Canyon Road.

* SUZIE HARRISON is a reporter for the Laguna Beach Coastline

Pilot. She may be reached at 494-4321 or suzie.harrison@latimes.com.