ARTS ENCORE
The Heart of Art
KIA program teaches kids to appreciate and create art by
LISA MACKINDER
M
elody Allen, head art teacher for the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts’ ArtLab, never tires of one thing: watching children’s eyes light up when they do something they didn’t think they could do — create art. “They’re so proud of it,” says Allen, who has taught ArtLab since 1997. “I really get a kick out of that. That never gets old.” ArtLab participants, who often arrive at the KIA gazing upward, wide-eyed, at Dale Chihuly’s glass chandelier in the institute’s front entrance, engage in a one-hour tour of the museum led by trained volunteer docents and in a one-hour workshop to create art, guided by professional artist-educators.
32 | ENCORE NOVEMBER 2018
For Kalamazoo County third- through fifth-graders, the program is free, thanks to sponsorships from area businesses. For others in grades K-12 from any county, the docent-led tour is free and the workshop costs a minimal fee. ArtLab, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, has groups ranging from 10 to 60 students. With the larger numbers, children are split into four groups. Two groups participate in the tour while the other two groups spend time in the classroom, and then the groups switch. “We want groups to be small so they can have a more individual experience and
be more engaged with the teachers and the docents who are doing the tours,” says Michelle Stempien, curator of education at the KIA.
Fostering art education Stempien says she is not sure why the program — originally named the ARTist Program — was started, but she has some ideas. “I think the organizers felt that the KIA was uniquely positioned to offer a program that Below: Kalamazoo Country Day School student Sara Hudson looks at a display of art created by students from Southwest Michigan. Right, top: KIA instructor Melody Allen gives students instructions for a project. Bottom: KCDS students engaged in painting.