Free art class available for island home school students
In a lead-up to the Calusa Land Trust’s StoryWalk at the Wigert-Barron Preserve in April, CLT has partnered with Pine Island artist Zan Lombardo and the Beacon of Hope to sponsor free art education classes.
On three consecutive Mondays starting March 16, Lombardo will guide students in creating papier mache baby gopher tortoises. This program is focused on home school students in grades 5-8, although younger students can attend with an adult present. Students will have real artifacts and artist creations from Lombardo to examine.
Students will first build the tortoise armature using cardboard, plastic bags and tape. The following week, they will papier mache the entire armature, a process that is challenging, messy and playful! In the final session, students will paint the hardened gopher tortoise.
The beautiful creations will be on display at Centennial Bank from March 25 to April 1 and students will be encouraged to bring their “baby gopher” to the StoryWalk kick-off event at Wigert-Preserve on April 11.
Registration is limited to 12 students. Classes are free and all supplies are provided. The first class is Monday, March 16, at 10 a.m., at the Beacon of Hope.
Please register with Ellen Ballard, (239) 980-0701, by Friday, March 13.