DAP completes outdoor art-science series

HURLEY - The Downtown Art Place completed its outdoor art and science classes for children on Thursday with a study of trees at Riccelli Park in Hurley.

The series of classes was coordinated by Sue Spaete, a retired Wakefield kindergarten teacher. She said she wanted to do a series of outdoor classes which integrated both art and science for children. Each class in the series had a different theme - insects, birds, shoreline and trees - and the classes - taught by local artists and naturalists - took place in local parks on Tuesdays and Thursdays in early August.

The program was praised by kids and parents.

"We've attended programs at the DAP before and she's missed being there, so to be able to see some of those same kids and wear a mask and do it safely with sanitizer and cleaning supplies offered was really nice," said Kerry Hill, whose daughter Norah Yurchak, 9, participated in all four sessions of the series.

Yurchak said that her favorite part of the series was the clay art project she did on Tuesday at Sunday Lake. "It was pretty fun," she said. According to Hill, Yurchak had really been looking forward to participating in a clay class at the DAP, but the class was canceled because of the pandemic.

Eleven-year-old Grace Crosby also said she liked the clay art project best as that is her favorite type of art, but it was the entire program that appealed to her.

"I like that kids got to see each other again, do something fun. You get to be outside, rather than being inside doing electronics and games and stuff. That's kinda my favorite part," Crosby said.

Crosby said its been a lonely summer. "All the kids just kinda disappeared (as a result of the pandemic)," she said, adding it's disappointing to have been off of school so long, but she was glad to be able to see other kids through this program.

"I think it was really good. The presentations having the people with the backgrounds come and teach them more - those professionals coming in did a great job," said Hill. "Each week was unique and each week was very informative. It was nice to get a mixture of both, not just all art, to get a background and some information, too. I think it was very nice."

"I really like not only just learning about stuff but being out in nature, the fact that you just get to run and experience what it is like outside. It just feels good to be outside," said Jillian Simonar, age 10.

With COVID-19 moving more things outside, Spaete decided that this year would be perfect for the outdoor-based series. She reached out to area naturalists and artists to put together the program, which was offered to area youth ages 9-12.

She said she chose that age range as they would be more comfortable, and cooperative with the COVID-19 safety regulations such as masks and social distancing.

The events took place at a different park and city each week, with one class in Ironwood, Bessemer, Wakefield and Hurley. The class size was limited to 10 children, because of COVID-19 safety regulations.

Spaete said that she is hoping to do another program like this next year, but the DAP is not doing any more classes as of right now until they find out what the schools are doing, because of the pandemic.