Feature
October
13
Artists Exhibit Work After Hours
by Terry Trahan Jr.
A local elementary school plans to welcome children and their families to its campus Saturday for Just Kids at Art, an annual festival that helps the community’s younger citizens to release their creative energy through art with hands-on activities.
St. Matthew’s Episcopal School has hosted Just Kids at Art for the past 21 years. The daylong festival has grown to include live entertainment, spacewalks, an obstacle course, a rock wall and even a toddler zone. This year’s event, which lasts from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., features games and over a dozen arts and crafts activities.
“When it first started, the parents made the paints in their kitchens,” said Cheryl Matherne, head of St. Matthew’s.
Now, there is enough paint to cover pumpkins, clay pots, picture frames, tiles and jewelry. And if painting isn’t a child’s forte, slime and confetti eggs are also on the activities list.
In the toddler zone, kids under age 5 get their own playground and bouncy balls. Finger painting is an option, too.
Meanwhile, the older kids can climb a rock wall, use a water balloon sling and make their way through an obstacle course. The young festivalgoers also have an opportunity to catch ghosts, go fishing and hunt for treasure.
“It’s a day for families and children to play,” said Julia Bourque, chairperson for the festival. “It’s a way for us to give back to the community.”
While St. Matthew’s invites the public to its campus for a day of fun, the community has also rallied behind the school and the accompanying church, which was lost to fire on Nov. 11, 2010. The school remained largely untouched; however, the church suffered extensive damage and has since been torn down.
As the church’s congregation plans to rebuild the Houma landmark, the school decided to move forward with plans for Just Kids at Art to preserve what the event stands for, even when times are hard.
“Though our year has been a difficult one, now more than ever, we know the importance of spending time with our families at community events,” Bourque said in a letter to the festival’s supporters.
The empty lot where the church once stood will provide the festival with extra space this year, but that will change when the structure is rebuilt. Until then, both the church and school remain optimistic about events to come.
In addition to art, the community-based festival features traditional food like hamburgers, hot dogs and popcorn, as well as live entertainment provided by Captain Papillion and classes at the school. Students from each grade rehearse songs and skits and perform them for their audiences.
“It’s a time for our children to show what they’ve learned in the classroom,” Matherne said.
Last year, children completed over 7,000 art projects at the festival. Organizers will welcome young Michelangelos once again this year, and hope to provide families with a day filled with creative fun and activities.
“We’ve had a lot of support from the community,” Bourque said. “It’s all about coming in and creating.”
