Tribe hosts children’s art workshop

Some of the area’s youngest artists have taken their work to new heights.

The tribe’s Environmental Protection Program recently hosted an art workshop at the Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center, offering instruction and encouragement to more than 25 children as they prepared paintings and drawings for the 2016 PEEPS Kids Art and Photo Exhibit. The exhibit, themed “Birds of the Kenai Peninsula,” was part of the 2016 Kenai Peninsula Birding Festival.

“We try to get kids involved in environmental education from different perspectives,” said Brenda Trefon, Environmental Protection Program coordinator. “So using art to learn about birds is a great way to gets kids interested and learning.”

The children’s artwork was displayed for a week at the visitor’s center followed by an awards ceremony where prizes were awarded and participants received certificates for their involvement. The competition, and workshop, were open to children between the ages of 2 and 17.

At the workshop, 10-year-old tribal member Morgan Lemm painted a black, white and orange puffin. She titled the painting, “Atlantic Puffin” and submitted it in the “watercolor” category for the exhibit.

Lemm also won a sketchbook in a random drawing at the workshop.

“I really enjoyed it and I’m glad that I went,” Lemm said.

Additional art produced at the workshop included paintings and drawings of cranes, falcons, eagles, swallows and geese.

Trefon said the workshop not only was educational but also encouraged children to work together – and teach each other – across different age ranges.

“It’s really great to see the older kids work on their project and inspire the younger kids,” she said. “They will take time to help the younger kids at the table and help them sketch something out or teach them how to blend colors.”

And by all accounts, Lemm agreed.

“I had a lot of fun,” she said.