Free event at Clermont College gives hands-on arts exposure

A little more than 200 children and their families converged on the University of Cincinnati Clermont College Saturday, Feb. 26 to stretch their creative wings and experience interesting art forms during the college’s Arts Wave Sampler.

Avery Bairnsfather, of Loveland, watches her sister Camryn as she is transformed into a walking work of art under the brush of UC student and artist Jennifer Pilott during the UC Clermont College Arts Wave Sampler. The sampler provided free arts projects to children.
School budget cuts have been an often-discussed topic in recent years and frequently the arts are at the top of the list for the chopping block. Arts Wave gives local children free exposure to art each year as part of its fund-raising season kick off event with sponsorship from Macy’s department store.

“It’s extremely important for children to gain exposure to the arts,” UC Clermont program manager for events and community art Nikki Vargas said. “A lot of times this is a first time exposure to some unique art styles.”

Arts Wave supports the arts in Cincinnati through funding and promotion of Cincinnati art staples like the Cincinnati Museum Center, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and many galleries and events throughout Greater Cincinnati. They also support community arts in the region.

UC Clermont’s Art Wave Sampler featured opportunities for children to make their own art using a wide variety of mediums.

“The event is most geared towards families with younger children,” Vargas said.

Children could make a pinch pot in the ceramics workshop or learn the techniques of Andy Warhol in creating their own pop art. A particularly unique opportunity for the children involved exploring the needle felting gallery exhibit “Fragility of Spirit” then participating in a needle felting workshop with exhibit artist and UC Clermont Associate Professor Kelly Frigard.

In addition to making art the event gave children and their families a chance to experience art through a music performance by women’s trio Raison D’Etre and a Peraza string concert. Classic art reproductions were featured in an art treasure hunt.

Vargas said several cub scout and girl scout troops attend the event every year as part of their merit activities.

UC Clermont faculty volunteers led many of the activities.