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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Artistic Pursuits Corbin Art Center Offers Craft Day For Kids, Parents

Janice Podsada Staff writer

Berets are optional, but dress the kids in their old shirts and jeans today and hurry over to the Corbin Art Center.

Today from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and from 1:30 to 3 p.m. children between the ages of 5 and 11 are invited to make puppets, ribbon sticks, masks and stationery during Craft Day at Corbin Art Center.

The cost for each hour-and-a-half session is $1. No reservations are needed.

Each project will be supervised by an art instructor.

Kids may attend both the morning and afternoon sessions, said Lynn Mandyke, event organizer and the center’s director.

The fifth annual Craft Day is Mandyke’s brainchild.

“Parents are always trying to find fun experiences for the kids. I wanted to make that available,” she said.

“Kids love to build. They like to construct. They like to experiment.

“There is no right or wrong way.”

The stately 1898 Corbin Mansion will be divided into five work stations.

“Kids can choose the project,” Mandyke said. “Mom can help. Dad can help.”

Parents may assist their children or enjoy a quiet moment on the lawn while their kids cut, paste or draw inside the mansion.

Last year more than 200 children attended the event, Mandyke said.

Katie Crenshaw, part-time children’s art instructor, will staff one of the work stations.

Her specialty: making rubber stamps.

Participants will make stamps from foam rubber shoe inserts “like Dr. Scholl’s,” Crenshaw explained.

The soft, bendable inserts are easy for small children to handle and cut, Crenshaw said. The inserts can be trimmed with scissors to make a silhouette of a face, bird or shape.

The stamp is then glued to a small 1-inch wooden block and voila, children have created their own stamp to decorate stationery, envelopes or even walls.

“The kids pile in and go from room to room,” Crenshaw said. “We like to give everyone a chance, so sometimes we have to move them along.”

Other art instructors will help kids make clothes-pin figures, paper-plate masks and puppets.

The event is sponsored by the Chase Youth Commission and the Spokane Parks and Recreation Department.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: Center’s location The Corbin Art Center is located at 507 W. Seventh. For more information, call 625-6677.

This sidebar appeared with the story: Center’s location The Corbin Art Center is located at 507 W. Seventh. For more information, call 625-6677.