Art in the Park for Kids was hosted in the old middle school cafeteria April 5 from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. The event is typically hosted at the Sculpture Garden every year. However, rainy weather prompted sponsors to change the location.
“I think if it had still been held outside, people would have been miserable in the cold and rain,” NHS sponsor Alison Brayton said. “Plus, the wind would have blown all the art supplies everywhere. It was a great last minute change.”
The event was sponsored by the Lampasas Association for the Arts (LAFTA) and assisted by volunteers from the Lampasas community. Counselor Cathy Kuehne was on the committee that planned the craft projects. She also kept volunteers fed and hydrated throughout the event.
“We had lots of help from fabulous volunteers from the high school and the community,” Kuehne said.
Junior Jayce Vincze volunteered as a National Honors Society (NHS) member.
“As this being the first time for me attending Art in the Park, and volunteering, I definitely enjoyed the event,” Vincze said.
Vincze volunteered at the bunny portrait craft station and helped children create their own bunny portrait with premade supplies including cardboard ears, egg carton faces and colorful sheets of paper.
“Our table tended to be busier as the day went on and we also helped Mrs. Brayton’s and Mr. Brayton’s son make his own bunny door hanger,” Vincze said.
Brayton said her son enjoys Art in the Park for Kids each year.
“He comes home with his crafts and places them all around the house,” Brayton said. “On Saturday morning he woke up, came in our bedroom, jumped on our bed, and cheered it’s “Art in the Park today.”
Brayton has attended this event for 10 years and said the event gets more engaging for the kids each year.
“My favorite part of this event is that although it is hosted every year, its activities always vary just enough to keep the kids interested,” Brayton said. “LAFTA is always coming up with new creative crafts for the kids to make.”
Senior Myliyah Williams said she genuinely believes that the children enjoyed the event.
“Everywhere I looked, children were enthralled in their crafting and always smiling and laughing,” Williams said.
Williams said her favorite part of the event was interacting with the children and giving them an experience that was fun and memorable.
“I felt the sponsors gave the Lampasas’s honor society members the tools and support we needed to make this event memorable and very successful,” Williams said. “I believe this event is one that needs to be continued for years to come. The community at large is rarely treated to events like this that allow children to unleash the creative potential and allow for our community to come together in celebration of the arts.”
Williams said the music provided by the LHS band was phenomenal, especially with the music being performed live.
“I felt that the performances, though I could only watch bits and pieces and one in its entirety, really encapsulated the future generation’s talents in the arts and leaves me hopeful for the future of the arts,” Williams said.
Kuehne enjoyed the performances and seeing the community come together to create and appreciate a day of arts.
“I want to make a special thank you to the jazz band, NHS, HOSA, Key Club, Art, Speech and Debate, Mrs. Moore and studio 29, and Clayton Bever class of 2020 mural artist and our community partners,” Kuehne said. “LAFTA could not put on the free event without all your help.”
