by Dennis Dalman
For the third consecutive summer, the popular “Art in the Park” program will take place once again in St. Joseph for children in the city and surrounding area.
The program is a fun, free and creative activity for children ages 3 up through elementary-school ages. The art gatherings take place from 9-11 a.m. at a rotating list of three St. Joseph parks.
Art supplies will be provided, including coloring books and magic markers.
This summer’s schedule includes the following dates and parks:
June 13: Centennial Park
June 20: Klinefelter Park (Service Project Day). There will be art activities, as always, but in addition the program will be taking donations of new art supplies for “Hands Across the World.” For more about that, see below.
June 27: Millstream Park
July 11: Centennial Park
July 18: Klinefelter Park
July 25: Millstream Park
This summer, Art in the Park coordinators and volunteers are adding a Service Project Day at the June 20 session in Klinefelter Park. (see above). On that day, Art in the Park will collaborate with the Catholic Order of Foresters to host an art drive for Hands Across the World, which is a non-profit community education program for new immigrants and refugees so they can learn to thrive in “Our One World.”
On the July 20 session in Klinefelter Park, participants are being asked to bring art supplies to donate to HAW. Such supplies include art paper, crayons, magic markers and colored pencils.
HAW provides learning experiences for newly arrived immigrants and refugees who do not have the language and learning skills to thrive in local communities. The organization helps both children and parents acquire the skills needed to integrate within central Minnesota.
The founders and coordinators of Art in the Park are St. Joseph resident Aquiliana Wolf, now 16, and her mother Lisa Wolf. Three years ago, Aquiliana came up with the idea and her mother helped her implement it. Aquiliana is a student at St. John’s Prep School who is just now finishing the 10th grade.
“Aquiliana is so excited we received some funding from the St. Joseph Jaycees and that she will be able to provide this fun summer experience again for our community,” said her mother, Lisa, to the Newsleaders. “We are so blessed to have this opportunity and so thankful for this supportive community.”
Genevieve Christensen, 4, of Sartell and her mother Alayna enjoyed painting wooden dinosaurs together during a session of Art in the Park last summer in St. Joseph.
