Highlights
Art Enhances
Affinity Credit Union North West District Funding awarded Creative Kids a grant in 2018 to ensure deserving kids in Prince Albert can grow through art.
the Lives of Kids Teaching art has been one of Christina Thoen’s biggest passions since she started Christina’s Art School in Prince Albert in 1995. “I wanted to start an art school because that is one of the things that I would have LOVED as a child,” she explains. “Art is a language that has no barriers and children who can express themselves through art also find it very therapeutic as well.” Christina is now passing on her love of art to local children, including students who’ve been funded through Creative Kids over the years. At her school, she teaches all art mediums -- from pencil drawing to watercolour painting. Her classes start at the age of eight when children really want to draw what they “see”. She says it is at this age that they are ready to really draw realism and need to learn the skills to be able to do so.
According to Christina, art is such a great skill to learn because it lasts a lifetime and also doesn’t require a “team” in order to pursue it. “It’s something they can take with them wherever they go in life and can be done when they are all alone, which for many children, learning to enjoy their time alone is crucial,” she adds. She goes on to explain that her students become so excited about the learning, they also want to go on and assist in the art classes. This
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is such a huge bonus for the kids because when they assist, they also continue to learn and develop in their own art.
“I have watched the Art School transform many of the lives of the students who get funding through Creative Kids. They’ve learned skills that have allowed them to grow in their confidence and truly start to blossom.” – Christina Thoen, Christina’s Art School
“The appreciation for the classes and the excitement about their future opportunities in art, have been so heartwarming to watch,” says Christina. “The students who are funded by Creative Kids are so thankful for this life-changing opportunity and I am so blessed to be a part of their artistic creative journey in life.”
Parents and friends gather in appreciation and support of students’ art work.
“I have watched the Art School transform many of the lives of the students who get funding through Creative Kids,” Christina notes. “They’ve learned skills that has allowed them to grow in their confidence and truly start to blossom -- not only in their art skills, but also in their demeanor and the way they carry themselves. They are so excited to be able to be there with the other students and truly learn a skill that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.”
Creative Kids Progress Report
10
2018
Youth learn art skills at Christina’s Art School in Prince Albert. Photos courtesy of Christina Thoen Creative Kids Progress Report
11
2018
