Art For The Fun Of It!

Pottery Class, learning hand built techniques.

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The Parma Area Fine Arts Council (PAFAC) in partnership with Cuyahoga Arts & Culture, Polish Village, Proud of Parma, and the Parma Chamber of Commerce have brought FREE art classes to 40 area residents. The classes were offered on a first come, first serve basis for this pilot program and are currently underway. The classes filled up fast.  

Two classes were offered to seniors, age 55+. Drawing with Donata, and Watercolor with Emery, at the Smallwood Activities Center, 7001 W Ridgewood Drive. The classes are structured for the beginner in a friendly, relaxed environment. The students range in age from 60 to 102 years old. Recent studies have shown that all forms of art, music, and even bilingual adults have twice as much cognitive reserve as their counterparts who do not speak multiple languages or participate in various forms of art and music. Art opens up the mind and studies show that it may be better than some medications for those suffering from Alzheimer’s, or the various forms of dementia.  

Two classes were offered to youth, ages 12 to 17, in Parma's Polish Village. Pottery at the Pottery & Clayworks Studio, located at 5728 Ridge Road, where the students are learning both hand built and wheel skills. Cartooning with Craig Lindsley at Parma Area Chamber of Commerce Office, located at 5790 Ridge Road where the students are learning to create their own superheroes, story boarding, layout and more. These classes are small so that the students receive individualized attention. They offer a structured form of entertainment to youth during the summer. Creative art activities are building blocks in youth development. Imagination, inventive and experimentation skills used in creating are important factors in educating our youth. When adults value a youths creativity we raise their self-esteem.  

In September Parma Area Fine Arts Council will host an art show and reception showcasing work from these classes at the Donna Smallwood Activities Center. This event will be free and open to the public. Details on this event will appear in next months edition.  

As a community we need to encourage and support the arts. Participating in art in its various forms opens the mind and enriches the quality of our lives, no matter what the age or skill level of the participant.