Student native culture art show on display
Shay Farmer
Nevaeh Arnoux created a clay loon for the show, which runs through May at the Peop;e’s Center in Pablo.
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PABLO — Carefully constructed coil pots, clay loons, and colorful mandalas dot the wall at the People’s Center, where the Kids’ and Native Culture Art Show features creations from last year’s elementary students in Polson.
Heather Holmes, the director of the Sandpiper Art Gallery in Polson, taught the art classes to Cherry Valley first-graders and Linderman Elementary fourth graders. She instructed the classes because of her passion for art and because there are not specific art classes at the two schools for students, other than what teachers choose to include in the curriculum.
Holmes taught 14 classes throughout the year, using mediums that included drawing materials, paper and clay for sculpting, paints, and oil pastels, among others.
Holmes believes that more kids need art in their lives because it can help them think differently and learn in alternative ways.
“I felt there was a need for more art education and Indian education, so this combined the two under one umbrella,” said Holmes. “I’m a strong believer that art helps students blossom.”
The classes were funded for two years by the Polson School District and the Indian Education Committee. The Indian Education Committee supports opportunities for tribal students that parents deem to be educational. Next year, Holmes will partner with Onward and Upward for funding.
Dana Hewankorn, who showed the display, just started her position at the People’s Center, but is also a member of the Indian Education Parent Committee that helped fund the art program in prior years. Her granddaughter, Nevaeh Arnoux, has a clay loon on display at the Center.
“It was hard to make,” said Arnoux, who is now in the second grade.
The art will be displayed through May.
