Art Chowder September | October, Issue 23 | Page 61

T
REGIONAL REPORT
Cd’A ARTS & CULTURE ALLIANCE
he benefits of nurturing creativity in children are endless.
Imagination and creative play are how children learn about the
world. And Kids Draw Architecture provides an outlet for feed-
ing a child’s imagination.
Each child is given a sling bag with all the supplies they need to
create scenarios, make decisions and express their ideas while
encouraging the development of fine motor skills and eye-hand
coordination. As each child masters the materials, they gain a
sense of confidence in their creations.
Working with our local experts, they’re posed thought-
provoking questions that encourage creative thinking as they
learn to see what is in front of them, think, question and develop
creative solutions at their own pace.
The beauty of Kids Draw is that it provides an outdoor
classroom, supporting physical activity while being at one with
nature, immersing themselves in a sensory adventure. Exploring
the grounds of the site provides for great imaginative brain play
and hands-on experiences.
The day begins at 9 am at the Human Rights Education Center
in Coeur d’Alene City Park where supplies are distributed
and the shuttle buses pick up the young artists and volunteers
and transport them to Cataldo. The whole group begins at the
Visitor Center with a brief presentation about the site, and then
an introduction into drawing techniques. They are then divided
into groups with a dedicated adult chaperone who guides them
to each drawing station that is focused on the architectural
drawings of the unique buildings, the artifacts in the buildings,
and the landscape of the area.
After a day of drawing, artists and volunteers are transported
back to the Human Rights Education Institute for a little
reception at 4 pm where drawings are finished and hung on a
clothesline so families and friends can view and appreciate their
work. Each artist chooses one or two drawings to submit to be
printed as notecards which are then offered for sale at the CDA
Chamber and the Cataldo Mission.
Photo credit: Ali Shute
Photo credit: Ali Shute
The small 10 dollar fee includes the sling bag, a sketch book
and a t-shirt, plus snacks and lunch during the day-long event.
Registration is limited to 40 kids.
Volunteers for the day include architects, landscape architects,
artists, and designers who provide guidance and instruction.
For more information, or to register your child to participate,
visit artsandculturecda.org/kids-draw-architecture or call
208-292-1629.
Photo credit: Ali Shute
September | October 2019
61