Kids get arty at party for Mardi Gras

Hannah Pettit didn’t have to think twice about it: She wanted to be transformed into a fairy. The 8-year-old sat still as Rebecca Cook, a makeup artist for the Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre, painted her face.

“I like it,” said Hannah as she looked into the mirror. All the girls want to be fairies, and all the boys want to be pirates, Cook said.

Face painting was just one option for more than 400 children attending the mARTi Gras Kids Carnival held at the Coeur d’Alene Resort Plaza Shops on Saturday.

Art on the Edge and the Coeur d’Alene Arts and Culture Alliance teamed up to sponsor the event. Local artists volunteered to share their talents with children in kindergarten through fifth grade.

“This is a way to educate and expose children to the arts in a safe and fun environment,” said Matt Feldman of the Coeur d’Alene Arts and Culture Alliance.

Among other things, these young artists-in-the-making tried their hands on pottery wheels, buzzed their lips on trumpets and made Mardi Gras masks with feathers and jewels.

Second- and fifth-graders from Sorenson Elementary School shared their pottery expertise with other children.

“Kids learn best from other kids,” said Anne Couser, the pottery teacher at Sorenson. “They’re the same size. There’s a real benefit for the kids who are teaching. They’re learning it forever because they are teaching it to others.”

The performing arts were also represented with dance, drama and music workshops.

Children lined up at the musical petting zoo to try out different instruments.

“It’s a way to dispel the myths about violins,” said Randy Fisher, director of education for the Spokane Symphony. “It doesn’t make a screeching sound unless you make it. The first time they draw the bow back and make a good sound, they’re introduced to magic.”

All the children were invited to contribute to three large art projects: a clay mural, a glass mosaic and a huge painting. These art projects will be displayed in the community, Feldman said.

Proceeds from the event will benefit Art on the Edge, a nonprofit organization that offers free art classes for area youths.