Arts Council sponsors classes for QUEST
The Emporia School District
Friday, December 12, 2008
Emporia elementary students have taken advantage of another series of classes this fall offered by the Emporia Arts Council through a grant from Bank of America.
EAC-sponsored classes were provided this semester at five elementary schools as part of the after-school QUEST program, according to Brenda Hollenbeck, EAC art education coordinator. Weekly art classes have been held at Logan Avenue, Riverside, Timmerman, Walnut and William Allen White schools.
For the past several years, the EAC has requested and received a grant from Bank of America to provide art classes through the QUEST after-school program. Again this year, Bank of America provided the money for EAC to hire art teachers, typically education and art majors at Emporia State University.
At William Allen White this week, teacher Amber Woods finished the semester with a lesson on “blind contour drawing,” a method used by art teachers to develop hand-eye communication. Students make outline drawings without looking at the paper. Students practiced simple drawings of some of their favorite objects and shapes.
Woods is an elementary education major who is also a teacher intern this year in a William Allen White kindergarten class. She works with Sarah Splichal, White QUEST coordinator, to schedule the classes.
Hollenbeck said a similar request is pending with Bank of America for the second semester. If approved, weekly classes will be continued at the five elementary schools and will be added on a monthly basis at Lowther Intermediate School and Emporia Middle School.
QUEST after-school classes have been offered at the Emporia elementary, intermediate and middle schools for many years. Students have the option to participate in structured classes on a variety of academic subjects as well as theater, athletics, arts and crafts, cooking, and community service projects. QUEST coordinators at each school plan the activities using the talents of teachers, ESU students, and businesses and community organizations. Volunteers to teach QUEST classes are always in demand. Anyone interested in helping with the QUEST program can call the Community Relations Office at 341-2213 or email nhorst@usd253.org.