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  • Art Stop for Kids Director and Founder Rebecca Ezell and A.S.K. volunteers Kelsey Donaldson, Julie Alan, Anne Humphrys and Sophie Dunne rummage through art creations Wednesday made by Blandy students during the first-ever program in April. Vaishali Patel

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August 26, 2010

Art program gears up for students with little access

Vaishali Patel The Union-Recorder

MILLEDGEVILLE — Georgia College & State University Senior Rebecca Ezell has created Art Stop for Kids, an art program for Baldwin County elementary students with diminished access to the tools and world of creative production.

Ezell said the goal of A.S.K. is to provide area children a creative outlet to express themselves visually using their imagination.

“I wouldn’t know what elementary kid doesn’t want to be creative and doesn’t have an imagination,” the art major said. “It’s all being sheltered by [necessary] testing and it’s taking away the fun element of learning, and this program adds the freedom where they can draw, color, imagine and be creative.”

The program kicked off in March after a few Blandy Hills Elementary School students paid a visit to Georgia College’s art department.

“Last May, Pam Longino, the gifted teacher at Blandy, called our art department to ask if her fourth and fifth grade students could do a field trip ... Art was one of my favorite things in school,” Ezell said. “I met with [Principal Dr. Runee Salad] and we decided to offer a class one Saturday a month for free to Blandy kids.”

More than 60 Blandy students, from kindergarten to the fifth grade, made the first free event in April a huge success, along with 25 college volunteers and a $100 grant for craft materials.

“We had a great outpouring from the community and different [Georgia College] departments donated money and supplies. From March to May last year we had 25 students who wanted to help out and get involved. They really put in 25-plus hours to make it a big success,” Ezell said. “There’s no steady income of money coming in. We will do fundraising this year, but have not set up a schedule yet, and we’ve talked about having community sponsors.”

Julie Alan, program secretary, said the children had a connection with each and every A.S.K. staff member during the art workshop.

“They were really excited to be around college-age kids; they really clung to us,” the senior said.

The plan for this school year is to offer A.S.K. at Blandy from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the second Saturday of every month, starting in October. Ezell said Midway Elementary will also be another school added to the program list this year.

As of now, Ezell said art supplies, materials and crafts are needed from the community in order to continue providing a free and successful program, from crayons, tissue paper and clothespins to magnets, clay pots and gems.

“We are always taking what is available. We need acrylic paints, paint brushes, color construction paper, kid-friendly scissors, Elmer’s glue, glue sticks, popsicle sticks, glitter, yarn, any kind of craft material and just fun things kids can have an imagination with,” she said. “We have a lot donated from other departments, volunteers and teachers. We have about four to five big boxes in storage full of supplies right now.”

Though the director and founder of A.S.K. is on track to graduate this December with a bachelor’s degree, Ezell plans to continue her efforts in benefiting the community, families and children in need of a creative outlet as she aims to join the Masters of Art in Teaching program next year.

“This program is set up to continue even after I’m long gone. If the whole county doesn’t have an art program, I’m open to provide students a place to express themselves,” she said. “My volunteers love it and we’re really excited about this year.”

Donations can be dropped off at The GIVE Center or Blackbridge Hall Gallery located on the Georgia College campus. For more information about Art Stop for Kids, call Ezell at (478) 445-4572 or e-mail artstopforkids@givecenter.org.

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