Liza M. Shaftic
New Castle News
NEW CASTLE —
New Castle’s hidden jewel has 45 candles to blow out this year.
And what better way to celebrate the end of summer camp than with a birthday party at the Hoyt Institute of Fine Arts.
The annual Children’s Summer Art Camp began July 13 and ran until yesterday, ending with a children’s festival. The theme at yesterday’s event was a birthday celebration.
“The kids made firework art, birthday cakes and so much more,” said Robert Presnar, the Hoyt’s program director. “Even our exhibits all year-round were in honor of the (Hoyt’s) 45th birthday.”
People walked around the five-acre property yesterday afternoon adorned in birthday hats and ready to celebrate. This year’s attractions included art stations, treats and performances by the NCP Mini Stars and magician David Lawrence. Living Treasures’ petting zoo featured a llama, donkey, lambs, pigs and a turtle.
The camp attracted up to 60 children.
Will Anderson, a first-grader at New Wilmington, and his sister, Bethany, ended their three-week experience by entering in the annual Chalk Walk. Each child drew on a block of cement.
“I drew my favorite character, Phinneaus,” 7-year-old Will said. “I love to draw.”
Will and Bethany’s mother, Mindy, feels strongly about bringing her children to the camp each year.
“They both love art, and they come here because they enjoy it,” she said. “It’s a great program, and the teachers are great with them.”
Instructors this year included Richard DiGia, Ryan Miller and Jackie Pisano.
DiGia is an art instructor at the Hoyt, Geneva College and the Butler Institute of American Art.
“Art brings fun and joy to people,” said DiGia, while drawing portraits of the children at the festival. “I’ve drawn all my life, so when I can show people their creativity, it’s like flashlight to floodlight. It’s the best part of this all.”
Along with the three main instructors, there were also assistants and volunteers throughout the camp and for the festival. Presnar’s daughter, Ashleigh, helped during the week.
“I volunteered at the camp with the 6- to 8-year-olds,” the Shenango High eighth-grader said. “I’ve grown up with art because of my dad, and I just love helping with the kids.”
Yesterday’s festival even attracted children from all over that hadn’t even attended the camp.
Alyssa Grumbine, a first-grader at Union Elementary, attended the birthday celebration with her grandmother, Cheryl, and father, Matthew.
“I drew Spongebob for the Chalk Walk,” the 6-year-old said. “I came to pet the zoo animals, too.”
The Hoyt staff hopes to continue teaching the community the gift of art and celebrating birthdays for years to come.
“We enjoy what we do,” Presnar said. “If it’s in the classroom or out on the lawn like today, education is our mission.”
