Kids tap into creative side at camp
Marilyn Pickle realized early on she possessed a knack for working creatively with her hands.
Once she crossed paths with her eighth-grade art instructor, Miss BlancArmstrong, Pickle garnered the necessary inspiration to further her interest in the arts. She later became a visual art instructor for Memphis city and Shelby County schools — a position she held for 16 years.
Pickle, 59, a member of the Olive Branch Arts Council since 2014, hopes to inspire children just like Blanc-Armstrong did, by helping them tap into their creative side at the fourth annual Young at Art Summer Camp in Olive Branch.
“A friend invited me to join the council since I said I wanted to do more with my art than just create it,” Pickle said.
The camp, sponsored by the Olive Branch Arts Council, took place June 1115 at the Painted Pigeon in Old Towne. Students received one-on-one instruction while learning visual art techniques and handcrafting. Each student had a personalized table featuring their work for the week.
“Some of the crafts we will be doing are macramé bracelets, papier-mache bowls and bubble printed envelopes,” Pickle said. “In addition to the still life, the art projects include a self-portrait with tangle patterns, pop-up greeting cards and a tessellated mosaic.”
The goal at Young at Art is to expose children to multiple kinds of art through guided practice.
Dena Richardson, executive director of the Olive Branch Arts Council, said the children get the chance to express their inner artistic abilities at the camp, regardless of skill level.
“We’re giving them the opportunity to do two things per day, so that’ll be 10 projects for the week,” Richardson said. “Crafts are a little bit different than actual mind creativity. So, for those that are maybe a little bit younger, crafting might be a little easier.”
Richardson said Young at Art camp is a necessity in the area.
“Well, very slim, very slim,” Richardson said regarding the artistic learning options for children in Olive Branch. “And it’s a task for the parents, of course, to try to find things. Young at Art has been successful for us because (kids) don’t have a lot of art in school, and of course it’s a summer activity.”
Richardson hopes Young at Art will help build additional interest for the arts in the community. Feedback from parents and children has been extremely positive through the camp’s first few years.
“First of all, (parents) are thrilled they’ve got the opportunity for their child to participate, and they’re thrilled with the results,” Richardson said. “They say, ‘Oh, she loved it, she had a great time, she wants to do it again.’ So, I keep a running list for the next year, and we do have a lot of repeaters.”
As she inspires a new generation of artists while promoting creativity and originality, Pickle wants her students to leave the camp with one thought in mind.
“The main thing I want them to remember is that art is fun and interactive,” Pickle said. “They don’t need a phone to enjoy themselves.”