Youths hone art skills at camp

DENHAM SPRINGS — Sydni Seighman, of Eastside Elementary School, carefully removed her drawings from the walls at Arts Council of Livingston Parish office as she collected the works she had created during the organization’s art camp.

“I love it,” Sydni, 8, said about the camp that taught students how to draw landscapes, people, animals and still life. During the camp, held June 6 through Friday, each student produced at least three drawings in pencil, colored pencil and pastels.

The camp was just what Sydni was hoping for, she said.

“I just like to draw things,” she said. “I was hoping to learn how to draw landscapes and animals.”

As she looked through her collection of drawings, Sydni pointed to one of a chameleon. She said she plans to use the drawing in the portfolio she will submit in hopes of becoming a member of the Livingston Parish Talented Visual Arts program.

“I liked that it taught you how to draw like a real artist,” said Grace Murphy, 8, a student at Seventh Ward Elementary School in Denham Springs.

“I’ve been drawing since I was 3 and a half years old,” Grace said. “That’s how much I like art.”

Drawing instructor Marcia Arnold Eisworth, who teaches a variety of classes at the arts council, said the artists, who ranged in age from 7 to 9, “learned new vocabulary words, the basic drawing techniques of using pencils to do observational drawings.”

“I also introduced them to different drawing media,” she said.

Eisworth said she hoped the class would help students compile a portfolio that would help them be permitted into the Livingston Parish Talented Visual Arts program.

“A lot of them are passionate about art,” Eisworth said.

For Marina Daniels, 8, of Springfield, the drawing class was a reward for making all “A’s” on her report card.

“My mom knows I like drawing so she signed me up for it, and I really enjoyed it,” Marina said.

“I’ve learned how to use layers of different colors (in my drawings) to make it look better, and learned about positive and negative spaces,” Marina said.

Dreux Palmer, 9, of Levi Milton School, called the class cool, and said that he has been “liking art since I was born.”

He too is getting a portfolio together to apply for the Livingston Parish Talented Visual Arts program. Dreux said he plans to attend another class put on by the arts council this summer.

The summer drawing camp is just one of the many activities the council will conduct this summer to get Livingston Parish residents excited about art.

In addition to a list of upcoming classes, the Arts Council of Livingston Parish hosts ongoing art shows.

On display at its office, 133 Hummel St., Denham Springs until June 29 is “Mixing it Up” & “Southern Sights” with Elizabeth “Lele” Mudd and Victoria “Tori” Hoyt.

Mudd, whose artwork ranges from “elegant and formal, to things bright, fun and funky,” is a self-taught artist, who paints and creates on cabinet doors, old boards, driftwood, and most anything worthy of paint, she said. Mudd was born in Baton Rouge, and lives in Central.

Tori, 13, has been painting since she was 4 years old, and loves to draw and make crafts, she said.

The arts council rotates artists and features their artwork in its office each month.

The next youth summer camp, “Salute to the 50s” will be from 8 a.m. to 12:15 P.m. from June 18 to June 27 at South Live Oak Elementary School, 8400 Cecil Drive, Watson.

The camp is for students currently enrolled in grades one through 5, organizers said.

It will include painting and drawing, pottery, jewelry making, crafts, music, singing, creative dance, movement, skits, games and more, arts council Office Manager Angela Alello said.

The cost is $135 per child. For more information, call [phone].

While many classes at the council focus on creating arts hands-on artwork, the council is also taking a move toward theater with its Spotlight Theater Players.

Their next production, “Aladdin,” will be at 7 p.m. Aug. 2, Aug. 3 and Aug. 4 and at 2:30 p.m. Aug. 4.

Play rehearsals begin later this month, organizers said.

The Arts Council of Livingston Parish offers a wide variety of courses — from jewelry making to quilting — for all age groups.

“My goal is to get the word out to everybody,” Alello said. “If you have a talent to show and display, give us a call.”

To register or for more information and a list of upcoming classes for both youth and adults, call [phone] or visit http://www.artslivingston.org.