Engaging Youth With Art In Oxford County

Tuesday, 25 August 2020 at 09:06

Photo Credit: Trish Roberts, Custom Concept Photography.

The Woodstock Art Gallery has been keeping engaged with youth in the community this summer with their Community Creation Art Kit program.

WOODSTOCK - The Woodstock Art Gallery has teamed up with the Children's Aid Society of Oxford County for the Community Creation Art Kit program.

The first round of kits, which are generously sponsored by Investment Planning Counsel, have been distributed to children in need throughout the region.

Each kit contains a complete set of art supplies, instructions and an activity book with additional educational resources. Head of Education at the WAG Stephanie Porter says the program was designed in part to replace the Gallery’s summer art camp, which was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Now, more than ever, the WAG Education Department acknowledges our responsibility to provide meaningful, accessible and inclusive programming for the community at large."

Porter says the day camps were full and it was really sad to have to cancel them because of the pandemic. The kits have been so popular that they are currently working on two more for the fall. Educator Deanna Logan says they just wanted to do something to encourage kids to be creative this summer.

“Creativity and self-expression are powerful tools for healing, processing and deep understanding, which are much-needed skills during times of crisis and change.”

Executive Director for the CAS Oxford Tina Diamond says this pandemic has had a significant impact on young people in the community.

“The inclusive design of this initiative will allow more children and youth in our community to develop their imaginations, explore their creativity, and to communicate their ideas and feelings through art. We are thrilled to partner with the Woodstock Art Gallery on an important initiative designed for increasing child and youth wellness.”

Free PDF versions of some of the resources included in the kits can be found at www.woodstockartgallery.ca for families to download or print out at home.

The Education Department is also developing two new art kits which will be available for purchase during the fall and holiday seasons.