Art Classes Revived For Rathdrum Kids It’S Something To Do This Summer Instead Of Watching TV

When there’s no mall, skate park, community center or swimming pool for kids to hang out at during long summer months, where can they go?

Nowhere here, Candy Allen recently noticed.

That’s why Allen has helped revive an old art program called the Lakeland Arts and Activities Council, a group that initially offered art classes to local kids in 1992. It died years ago because it took too much of a time commitment for just a few volunteers, said Jo Teske, a local artist.

But Allen and Teske knew kids needed something to do this summer besides sit at home and watch television.

So Friday afternoon the council kicked off its first program with a jump rope class at Betty Keifer Elementary School. Eight kids signed up. Tom King, just 2 years old, was the youngest rope jumper on the basketball court.

The classes, offered by Deborah Wittwer, a jump rope teacher from Spokane, will continue through next month.

“The need in this community (for youth activities) has just been outrageous,” said Allen, who also is the Chamber of Commerce office manager.

As Rathdrum continues to revitalize itself, Allen has jump-started the idea of offering activities for children. Despite the lack of money or a place to call their own, parents and kids are anxious to get something started again, Allen said.

“Places for the teens - it’s a glaring omission in this town,” she said. “I had to jump on that.”

Classes planned for the rest of the summer months are full. Teske will teach everything from weaving pine needle baskets and calligraphy, to creating origami and African wall hangings.

The $3 price merely covers material costs.

Why offer such varying styles of art? These kids need culture, Allen said. “Do they have any sort of contact with any other cultures in Rathdrum?” Allen asked. “No. This is something.”

Teske, who also works for the Coeur d’Alene Art Association, will focus each class around the specific culture represented. She will also play cultural music, play games and tell stories. It will be like living in another country for half a day, Teske said.

Few adults want to teach kids about art because it requires a lot of patience and time, Teske said. It’s something she’s willing to volunteer.

Allen has already turned several kids away because a small class size is necessary, due to a lack of volunteers. It’s something Allen hates to do, but in the future she hopes the group will be able to pay people to teach art, she said.

In six months the council will qualify for grants from the state’s art commission. Earlier this year, about $1,500 in grant money was left for the previous art group. Because it was untouched for so long, it was taken away, Allen said.

If successful, the art council will eventually merge with the Parks and Recreation Department. But that’s only if the city allows the department to grow more, according to Allen. Ideally, Allen said she would like to see a community center built sometime soon as an aspect of Rathdrum’s effort to revitalize itself.

“(Rathdrum’s) economic base is growing. it’s coming to town,” she said. “I see the community center happening because it’s number one on everybody’s wish list.”

In the meantime, Betty Keifer Elementary will offer its facilities for the council to continue the arts and activities classes.

For more information on the council, call Candy Allen at the Rathdrum Chamber of Commerce, 687-2866.

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For more information on the Lakeland Arts and Activities Council, call Candy Allen at the Rathdrum Chamber of Commerce, 687-2866.