Church's program stirs kids' art skills

Music is an integral part in the life of the congregation at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church, so much so that in 1997 the church started its own music academy.

The academy, Adventures in the Arts, was founded by Jim Maase, who serves as minister of music, arts and worship and is the church's organist.

The idea was to provide opportunities for children to learn how to play instruments and sing. The ministry has since expanded to include visual arts, and during this year's spring semester more than 260 students and 20 instructors were involved.

"We're about to celebrate our 20th anniversary," Maase said. "In that time we've taught over 4,000 students in the central Arkansas area."

Last year, the program expanded even more by adding two summer camps. Ninety children participated -- a number that thrilled Maase. But this year he's hoping for even more participants with a goal of 200.

Two sessions of the 2016 Summer Music and Arts Camps will be offered -- July 25-29 and Aug. 8-12. Children ages 5-16 can participate in the half-day program and select from a variety of classes, including violin, art sampler, needlework, yoga, illusion/magic tricks and several more options. Cost is $185 for a week of camp, and scholarships are available.

Maase said he hopes the scholarships will help children interested in music and the arts who might not be able to afford to go to the camp.

"We know that out there in the community there is a need financially, and we know there is amazing talent out there and we're trying to reach out through churches and schools to find these people," Maase said.

The Rev. Britt Skarda, senior pastor, said the church and the arts go hand in hand.

"For centuries the church has been at the forefront of supporting and promoting the arts," he said. "It was the church that first recognized the need for spaces of beauty that give us a tiny glimpse of heaven. In a culture where arts programs in schools are being defunded at an increasing rate, it is the mission of the church to fill the gap."

Maase said the Adventures in the Arts ministry affirms the importance of music and the arts.

"It changes our lives. It enriches our lives and makes us more intelligent by stimulating the brain," Maase said. "People have abilities, and just like other areas of our lives it's the church's responsibility to help people find those abilities in themselves."

Maase said he believes everyone has the ability to learn to sing or play an instrument. All it takes is practice.

"We believe all people, with that constant practice and application of skills, whether in art or music, they do grow and do become better," he said.

It's his goal that Adventures in the Arts and the summer camps provide opportunities for children to have that kind of hands-on experience, especially those who have never had the chance to try their hand at music or art.

"The reason we started these summer camps is we really consider them discovery courses," Maase said. "We have some Rembrandts that come in, but our whole goal is really to expose people to the arts."

During last year's camp, the children who signed up to take introductory violin classes -- children who had never picked up a violin before -- were able to play three simple songs by the end of the week.

"We have an old-fashioned show-and-tell at the end of the week for parents and grandparents and it was almost mind-boggling, even to myself, what these children could do," he said. "It was just amazing. The parents, their eyes were as wide as pies."

Maase said the children gained confidence while learning a skill.

"That's why music and arts are so important," he said. "These are things that keep students in school sometimes when they are really struggling with the core classes. They find comfort in that and the skill level they learned, and it gives them a way to get through school when they might drop out."

Registration information is available online at adventuresinthearts.org or by calling Mary Smith at (501) 978-0522 or at msmith@phumc.com. Deadline to register is July 1.

Religion on 06/04/2016

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