Mothers Of Invention Silver Valley Elementary Schools Keep Arts Programs Alive Thanks To Volunteer Art Moms
Larry Reese stayed up until 11 p.m. Tuesday, cutting out construction paper turkeys.
It’s not the way the 44-year-old tow-truck operator would prepare for the holidays, left to himself. But Reese’s wife, Dawn, 26, is an art mom at Pinehurst Elementary School. Reese was just doing his bit.
“There’s a need. Somebody has to do it,” he said.
Couldn’t the kids just do without the extra art projects that volunteers, usually mothers, bring to the school?
“Forget it,” said Reese. “That would be like taking Sunday out of the week.”
The art mom program has been in effect at Pinehurst Elementary for more than eight years. Cataldo’s Canyon School also has an active program, and volunteers help out at other Silver Valley schools, where there are no art teachers at the elementary level.
“There’s so much more to art than coloring, cutting and gluing,” said Carri Dickinson, 29, president of the Pinehurst PTA. “I think the parents just want to bring more awareness into the school.”
Dickinson serves as art mom for her kindergarten-age son Cory, sharing the responsibility with Korena Cochran, another mom.
Wife of the musical director at Kellogg Middle School and Kellogg High, Dickinson says plenty of culture is available in the area. Sometimes it just takes a little effort to find it.
“We’re sort of segregated here in the mountains. But if we can spark interest in the kids, they may ask mom and dad to take them to a play in Spokane, or one of the galleries in Coeur d’Alene,” she said.
Each year, Pinehurst parents write a grant to the Idaho Arts Commission that brings an artist-in-residence to the school for two weeks. As a result, students have learned about mime, storytelling, painting, and ceramics from professionals.
Parents cover the rest of the year.
“We have a lot of people in the community with artistic talent and an interest in sharing it,” said Pinehurst Elementary Principal Paul Currie.
A teacher for five years before he became principal, Currie got to witness firsthand how much the students looked forward to art day.
“In a lot of instances the special projects really are special, because of the parents’ excitement and enthusiasm,” he said.
Samantha Cochrane’s favorite project required students to create their own dinosaurs. She supplied a grab bag full of odd items - Popsicle sticks, tinfoil, cupcake holders, straws.
“The kids just amazed me. They’re so creative,” said Cochrane, 25.
Both Cochrane and Dawn Reese sound as if they’re not sure who benefits most, the children or their parents.
“The program lets you interact with your kids in the classroom, see what’s going on with their other projects,” said Reese, who’s been an art mom since her daughter Shyla, now 7, entered kindergarten. They both move up a grade each year.
Reese’s commitment to the program has its complications. A dispatcher for her husband’s 24-hour towing service, Reese carries a phone with her into the classroom.
The children have learned to keep quiet when it rings. That way they get a dedicated art mom, and Maverick Towing’s business doesn’t suffer. Reese said the inconvenience is minor, compared to the rewards.
“I’m just glad I have the time to do it,” she said. “I think it’s great.”