Local fifth graders get close-up look at artwork
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About 250 Newton school district fifth-grade students got a chance to see the area’s artworks up close and personal Wednesday, thanks to the Centre for Arts and Artists, and a gang of volunteers, high school students, artists and a few veterans.
The students visited 20 sites around Newton, including murals at several locations downtown, sculptures at the Jasper County Historical Museum and at Maytag Park. At the courthouse square, Verle Kooistra, a World War II veteran and a former prisoner of war, talked to the students about Reasnor artist Nick Klepinger’s memorial to area veterans.
“I thought the day went very well,” Kooistra said. “The students were very respectful and interested, and the weather was perfect.”
Kooistra was chairman of the veterans’ committee to have a new memorial installed at the courthouse, and he talked about the memorial to honor veterans of all wars. The monument was dedicated on July 4, 1994.
Linda Klepinger, director of the Centre for Arts and Artists said the outing for the fifth grade students was led by the school district’s art teachers, and volunteers for the various sites was arranged by the Centre.
“We have an extremely diverse art collection here, available to the public 24-7,” Klepinger said.
During the tour, the docents at the various sites emphasized the importance of art to a community, explained various artistic techniques and described the artworks to the students.About 250 Newton school district fifth graders got a chance to see the area’s artworks up close and personal Wednesday, thanks to the Centre for Arts and Artists, and a gang of volunteers, high school students, artists and a few veterans.
The students visited 20 sites around Newton, including murals at several locations downtown, sculptures at the Jasper County Historical Museum and at Maytag Park. At the courthouse square, Verle Kooistra, a World War II veteran and a former prisoner of war, talked to the students about Reasnor artist Nick Klepinger’s memorial to area veterans.
“I thought the day went very well,” Kooistra said. “The students were very respectful and interested, and the weather was perfect.” Kooistra was chairman of the veterans’ committee to have a new memorial installed at the courthouse, and he talked about the memorial to honor veterans of all wars. The monument was dedicated on July 4, 1994.
Linda Klepinger, director of the Centre for Arts and Artists said the outing for the fifth grade students was led by the school district’s art teachers, and volunteers for the various sites was arranged by the Centre.
“We have an extremely diverse art collection here, available to the public 24-7,” Klepinger said. During the tour, the docents at the various sites emphasized the importance of art to a community, explained various artistic techniques and described the artworks to the students.
cutline:
Berg Elementary fifth graders were apparently inspired to create some human art during the tour of local artwork Wednesday. All fifth graders in Newton visited 20 different sites, receiving information about the art from docent volunteers, artists and veterans. The students are pictured here at the “Family Outing” sculpture depicting a cycling family near the Country Kitchen on Highway 14.
