by Dennis Dalman
Wanted: one or more people to lead, coordinate and manage the annual summer “Art in the Park” program in St. Joseph, starting next summer.
That program was started four summers ago by St. Joseph resident Lisa Wolf and her daughter, Aquiliana, who was only 13 at the time. Aquiliana’s sister, Mireya, now 15, also helped at the art events. Those girls’ parents are Lisa and Saul Wolf.
But as of next year, the Wolfs can no longer administer the program because they will all be way too busy with other pursuits. Aquiliana, for example, a student at St. John’s Prep School, will graduate in 2026 at which time she will enter college to pursue a double major in stage management and biology.
Art in the Park is a fun, free and creative activity for children ages 3 up through elementary-school ages. It takes place from 9-11 a.m. every Thursday, its venues changing weekly during July and August among the parks in St. Joseph: Centennial, Millstream, Klinefelter. Art supplies will be provided free of charge, including coloring books and magic markers.
The art young people create and enjoy includes drawings, paintings, card-making, puzzles, prizes and more. All children are welcome to participate, including those from areas beyond St. Joseph.
“I am happy for the opportunity, ability and resources to make that program possible,” said Aquiliana during an Aug. 19 interview with the Newsleaders. I hope whoever takes over has the same passion for art, and that they do it because they really enjoy and want to make a difference.”
This summer’s “Art in the Park” series of programs got off to a bit of a late start because Aquiliana was doing internship studies at a partner high school in Hokkaido, north Japan.
The Wolfs decided to start Art in the Park because they felt it would be a creative and social opportunity for young people (and adults) to get together for creation, for social connections and just plain fun.
When Lisa Wolf lived in Madison, Wis. she was well aware of all the arts programs in parks throughout that city. Wouldn’t it be nice, she and daughter Aquiliana thought, if that could happen right here in St. Joseph? Well, they reached out to others, did lots of planning and made it a reality.
In the past four summers, Aquiliana estimates, about 1,000 young people have enjoyed Art in the Park events, some of them multiple times. The events were especially welcomed by daycare businesses and their little ones.
If anyone is interested in coordinating/managing future Art in the Park programs in St. Joseph, email Lisa Wolf at lisawolfmft@gmail.com.
Mireya Wolf (left) and her sister Aquiliana (right) were instrumental, along with their mother, Lisa, in establishing and operating the “Art in the Park” program for several years in St. Joseph parks. This photo was taken during Donation Day Art in the Park recently at Klinefelter Park where donated art supplies were brought to donate to Greater Minnesota Family Services.
