Kate’s “Kreations” celebrate art and history

Kate Eldridge is a thirteen year old student who attends Massey Vanier High School. Kate was born and raised in Potton where she lives with her Mom, Patricia Lachance, her Dad, Jeremy Eldridge and her younger sister, Alexis. Kate’s passion for art has been evident since she was a toddler; she and her sister have spent many hours during the Covid confinement period working on a plethora of art projects.

Wanting to do something over the summer that would give her experience as well as some supervised independence, Kate decided to offer to volunteer at the offices of the local Volunteer Centre CABMN in Mansonville. Having been a part of the CAB’S youth programs for the past 8 years and given the fact that she is a fourth generation volunteer from the same family Kate found comfort in offering her service to the CAB where she does reception duties, runs errands and expresses her creativity all while maintaining Covid directives and protocol.

“We are open by appointment now,” explains Kate. “I take temperatures, emphasize hand sanitizing and assure that all who enter do so after putting on a mask.”

Following a suggestion made by the Director of the CAB, Kate was encouraged to get her artistic juices flowing by creating “Thank you cards” for the CAB that are used throughout the year to express gratitude for efforts made by others in a variety of ways. Kate was encouraged to view photos or visit Potton landmarks, research some of Potton’s history and to then create paintings that could be used as cards giving them an original flare.

“Kate’s Kreations” are the result and the paintings thus far portray landmarks like Potton’s Round Barn as well as scenes from the early 1900’s of Vale Perkins wharf with the Lady of the Lake and Vale Perkins in days of old with three girls walking up from Jewett’s store toward Owl’s Head mountain.

“I plan to paint one of the Reilly

House and the park in the center of town,” Kate shares. “Seeing the paintings in card form with the blurb on the reverse side kind of brought it all together,” she said.

To date, Kate’s Kreations are not on sale but rather are something people will receive after a variety of acts of kindness displayed in so many ways through the CABMN programs by the many volunteers and businesses in the area. With so many doing so much during the Covid Pandemic cards of thanks are a daily mailing. It has been a source of pride for the CABMN staff to see a young person take such interest in local history and Kate admits that she is learning along the way.

The CABMN has hired Selena Chapman, the daughter of Jinni and Lee Chapman to fill their summer student position this year at the CAB. You must be 15 years old to be eligible to work through this Government summer grant and Selena who filled the position last year did a wonderful job. Kate plans to continue at the CAB throughout the summer helping Selena with projects and in furthering Kate’s Kreations wherever the creativity takes her.

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