Students display works at art center
By MICHAEL ERB, merb@newsandsentinel.comPARKERSBURG - From watercolor paintings and pencil drawings to sculptures crafts, area children showed off their artistic works and skills at the Parkersburg Art Center this week.
About 30 first- through third-graders completed the center's weeklong art camp Friday, displaying their crafts for parents and family.
"We have a gallery opening, just like we do for any of our famous artists," said Jessie Siefert, who works with children's programs at the center.
Siefert said though this marks the end of the session for these students, three more sessions will be held over the coming weeks for different age groups. The entire program runs for about six weeks, she said.
The theme of this session was "American Artist Idol," a play on the popular "American Idol" singing competition but with a focus on American artists.
For example, Siefert said, students learned about artist Jackson Pollack while creating their own spatter paintings.
Other activities have included glass painting, sand art, ceramics, paper sculpting, watercolors and drawing.
"We do a lot of different activities," she said. "It allows the children to explore a variety of different mediums and to learn about famous artists."
Siefert said exposing children to art early on in life also gives them confidence and a new outlet for their creativity.
"It gives them a feeling that they can do these kinds of things," she said. "It gives them that sense of satisfaction."
