A Wood Relief Art workshop participant shares her work.
Photo by Stacy Clovis-Woofter
Natural Wellness girls enjoying an outdoor adventure.
Photo by Stacy Clovis-Woofter
Natural Wellness girls participating in a Natural Wellness girls yoga class.
Photo by Stacy Clovis-Woofter
I have had the pleasure of coordinating two fabulous programs at the WVBG this year. Now in it’s second year, the Natural Wellness for Girls program is designed to encourage area girls ages 8-12 to embrace healthy lifestyle choices, forge a lasting connection with the natural world, and empower themselves through knowledge and experience-based wellness strategies. The program reached 18 girls this year. Our successful collaboration with the Mountaineer Boys & Girls Club helped us to reach a potentially under-served population of girls and provided a well-established basis for future collaborations.
New this year, the girls participated in a hands-on, scientific study which assessed water quality and overall stream health of Tibbs Run at the WVBG. This project provided opportunities to learn why healthy water sources are vitally important, and to participate in a small-scale scientific study. The girls had a blast learning how to care for themselves and the world around them. Special thanks to the Women’s Giving Circle of North Central WV and instructors Vada Boback, Jessy Coffman, Ali Jeney, Jessica Kaplan, and Emily Murphy.
Our Arts in the Garden series finished up this June. This program was supported by the Community Arts Grant, made possible by the Monongalia County Commission, through a collaborative effort between YCF and Arts Mon. Workshops led by local artists included Wood Relief/Sculpture, Printmaking, Painting with Encaustics, Nature Drawing, Field Journaling, Nature Photography, and Landscape Painting. The series, which attracted over 50 participants, was very well received with comments such as “excellent, helpful, and experienced teacher,” “What a wondrous place to learn to do art,” and “I loved it! Let there be more!” Happily, thanks to continued support from the Community Arts Grant, there will be more coming in 2019/20. Check the activities schedule for listings.
Thank you to artist instructors John Clovis, Kellie Cole, Dylan Collins, Linda Gribko, Joe Lupo, Amy Schissel, and Dave Smaldone.
by Stacy Clovis-Woofter, Education Specialist
originally published in our Fall/Winter 2019 newsletter