The camp, held Monday through Friday, saw participants create individual and collaborative art projects under the guidance of professional artists Kris Dillard, Annette Eschelman and Casey Rollins. It concluded on Friday with a celebration that included a display of the final art projects with dinner and several invited community guests on the Clark State Community College campus.
“We’re celebrating three of our favorite things – art, families and community,” Lauren Houser, director of Project Jericho, told the crowd.
The theme was chosen after Project Jericho leaders interviewed middle school students to find many couldn’t identify unique attributes about themselves or knew what role model meant according to Kristi Limes, Project Jericho success coordinator.
One of the art projects was to design a hero wall listing what’s important about a hero, with “trustworthy,” “responsible” and “hardworking” among the descriptions. Limes was pleasantly surprised by what it didn’t contain.
“None of the things listed was money,” she said. “I didn’t expect that and it’s helpful to the parents. In-depth art strengthens individuals and communities.”
One of the most enthusiastic participants was Gil Marquez. The fourth-grader not only greeted guests at the finale event, but eagerly showed the work he, his family and the group created, often with good humor.
“I liked we got to paint and make tiny people,” he said, pointing to clothespins resembling him and a sibling. “I gave myself blue hair and my sister is broke and asking me for money.”
Participants painted, drew caricatures of themselves and created a family portrait of felt, often putting in personal traits or messages in their works.
Marquez shared his nature painting was inspired by “that painter who did the famous night sky painting,” meaning Vincent Van Gogh’s masterpiece “Starry Night.” With a lake, the stars and several trees, Marquez dubbed his work “Nature Preserve.”
Although she’d previously collaborated with several arts groups, Rollins’ first experience with Project Jericho was eye-opening, especially the collaboration.
“To see how they came together as a united family from the first day and helped with ideas was wonderful. I like how Project Jericho pulls them in with creative measures and uses it as an emotional release so they find themselves,” Rollins said.
Although the camp finished on Friday, it wasn’t the end. Limes was excited that of the participants, 18 are ages 12 and older, a good sign for participation in Project Jericho’s spring youth modules.
Some of the artwork will be used in posters for the Clark County Family and Children Services child abuse prevention annual child abuse prevention campaign in April.
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