University art students teach multicultural techniques

From Japanese wind socks to African face masks and American Indian totem poles to Australian instruments, Scott City youths have been learning two things at once -- art and the world's cultures.

Seven 9- to 12-year-olds eagerly worked Sunday afternoon on painted paper-bag totem poles and papier mache pinatas, their latest projects in a six-week art class for children at the Schock Community Art Center in Scott City.

When it comes to learning about art, it's fun to get messy, said 12-year-old Susan Pendergrass, who eventually spilled papier mache paste on herself.

"You can make what you want in art," she said. "Even if it's just a little piece, it's still yours."

The class is planned and taught by art students from Southeast Missouri State University. Senior Alissa Blechle, 23, and junior Angie Westermayer, 21, said learning about cultures is just the beginning.

"I hope this will be a jumping board and they'll want to explore more of the world," said Blechle, who based the idea about teaching different cultures from her own experiences out of the country.

Ten-year-old Tyler Schwettman, the only boy in the class, said he learned from the Japanese wind sock project "that the Japanese only hang wind socks on a certain day. It was some kids' day or something."

That "certain day" is May 5, said Blechle, when the Japanese celebrate boys. Blechle and Westermayer taught the class that the Japanese celebration is about all children, not just boys, so that they all could feel special, Blechle said.

Ten-year-old Marie Ray said she learned from the American Indian totem pole project "that these thingies were buried six feet in the ground and that they were really tall." The youths painted animals onto individual paper bags that will be stacked to make a complete totem pole.

In place of video games and TV, art encourages youths to use their own talents and imagination, said Paul Schock, director of the art center.

"It seems with all the dreams and ambitions that kids have, art allows them to explore those opportunities," Shock said, specifying that creativity and knowledge of the arts enable people to adapt better in the business world.

The art class is sponsored by Pentegrass Inc. and the Kiwanis Club of Scott City, an international organization. A biweekly summer session will be held from June through July, and a Sunday-only session will be held from August through October.

Currently, the age groups are 5 to 8 and 9 to 12, and private lessons can be arranged. Scholarships are available on a case-by-case basis. Adult classes might open up weekday evenings in January, Schock said.

On the first Sunday in June, Shock plans to host an art show of work from all the classes, he said, but the date is not yet final.

jmetelski@semissourian.com

335-6611 extension 127