CAMANO — Once a month for three months, Utsalady Elementary School allowed 420 students to do nothing but make art for half a school day.
“When we stop everything on those Fridays and do art … each classroom is engaged,” said Cat Olson, executive director of the Stanwood-Camano Arts Advocacy Commission. “The kids are still loud, they’re still active, but there’s a singular focus across the school that’s palpable. You can feel it, and I think that energy shift on a Friday afternoon is really great.”
It was known as “Afternoon of the Arts,” a program created by the commission.
Currently, there’s no art requirement at the elementary level in the Stanwood-Camano School District.
Now, Olson is among those uncertain if the pilot program will return next year, due to funding. The program costs an estimated $10,000, not counting administrative costs and volunteer hours.
To try to keep the program alive, students are auctioning off art trading cards, painted murals and other pieces at the school booster club’s STEAM fair at 6 p.m. April 23 at Utsalady Elementary School, 608 Arrowhead Road. The goal for the auction is to fund the Afternoon of the Arts for another year.
Olson invited anyone from parents to local business owners to purchase art to display in their homes or storefronts.
Art is “vital” to childhood development, booster club president Callie Darland said. It helps neurological development, lowers stress and anxiety and builds self-esteem, she said.
“Arts’ positive effect on children is immeasurable,” Darland added. “Art is the universal language that we can all use to communicate who we are as humans, and helps us form connections within ourselves and with others. … And as the kids have said, it’s just really fun.”
Emily Fekkes, a programming director for the arts commission, said kids have approached their teachers at recess asking when the “art thing” is happening again.
Teachers and parents are also fans.
From the first to the third session, interest from parent volunteers has increased, Olson said.
Eventually, the arts commission hopes to have Afternoon of the Arts in all 11 schools in the district.
“The district communications and media manager has been getting phone calls from people saying, ‘Why isn’t ‘Afternoon of the Arts’ in my school?’” Fekkes said.
Olson said she’d like to see the state fund art at all levels of education. Until then, commission members will keep doing what they can to keep art accessible to not only students, but anyone.
“If there was not a system in place to bring arts into the school, that would be a real travesty,” Olson said. “What we’re offering now should be considered the minimum. At minimum, these kids should have one art class a month, for heaven’s sake.”
Want to donate?
Visit the Utsalady Elementary School booster club website at ues.stanwood.wednet.edu/ues_booster_club
Or visit the Stanwood-Camano Arts Advocacy Commission at scaacwa.org/donate
Ashley Nash: 425-339-3037; ashley.nash@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @ash_nash00.
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