Festival of Arts classes spark creativity

There are no limits if you are a kid visiting the Festival of Arts this summer.

Fun and creativity take precedence over instruction throughout a series of classes and workshops sponsored by the festival.

Presented with the materials and an opportunity to go wherever their minds take them, kids are encouraged to be their own artist.

All classes are taught by exhibitors who volunteer their time, festival spokesperson Sharbie Higuchi said.

“The kids love it; it’s a chance for them to do things they don’t normally do,” she said.

In the festival’s latest class session, exhibitor John Warren oversaw kids engaged in wire art projects.

With a pack of budding artists at his command, Warren said he prefers not to give any instruction.

“All the materials are here,” he said. “I tell them, ‘feel free to do whatever your imagination sees fit. Free reign.’ ”

The results produce an enthusiastic response in the kids that impresses Warren.

“I love to see the creativity of children, and their individual styles,” he said. “It reflects their developing personalities.”

With beads, copper wire, shells, driftwood, chains and rods, the kids are silent as they focus their creative powers.

Warren is particularly impressed with 5-year-old Beau Basset-Audin’s work.

“He’s very exuberant,” Warren said referring to Beau’s framed wire piece as he continued to add to it.

“I’m doing what feels best,” Beau said.

Beau’s mother, Tamie Basset, said her son didn’t want to come at first, but is enjoying it the most of her three sons.

Warren, who has been exhibiting at the festival for 15 years, is teaching his second class.

“I don’t normally teach,” he said. “Last year was so successful that I added more material this year.”

Art education at the festival also comes with workshops that run every day.

“Anyone who buys a ticket, which is also a season pass, can take part in the workshops,” Higuchi said.

Painter Mada Leach runs a booth open to kids for that day.

Visitors are offered several different types of media, from painting to wood sculpture.

Leach said her most popular project is marbleizing paper, which looks like color floating on a watery surface.

“The results are fabulous,” she said. “The kids are always very impressed.”

Also open every day is a print workshop run by exhibitor Anne England.

Visitors making prints first cut out the design or symbol of their creation, then have it applied to ink for a finished print.

“People like to take them home and hang them up,” England said.

“We actually get lots of adults here,” she added. “It’s a wonderful thing to do; it’s not busy work.”

Ceramic exhibitor Monica Dunham runs a raku workshop on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

“It’s an ancient art from Japan,” Dunham said. “The kids love it. I say you can do anything with clay as long as you use your imagination.”

The fee for the raku is $17 per ceramic pot.

Signups are not necessary for the workshops, but for each Wednesday class, it is recommended kids sign up in advance.

Material fees for the classes are $10, and enrollment is limited to 20 kids per class.

Future class topics include pastels and color theory, jewelry making, pen-and-ink and fiber art.

For more information, call (949) 494-1145 ext. 206 or 200.