Backus Community Center Report

 

Backus Community Center will offer After School Arts classes to area students in grades kindergarten through grade 12 Sept. 25 through Dec. 6. The program is sponsored through a grant from the Otto Bremer Foundation. Betsy Ward is coordinator.

A variety of classes are on the schedule to appeal to the interests of students at different age levels. Classes will start at 3:45 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays in Room 205 at Backus.

Three sessions start Sept. 25:

“Basic Medieval Chain Mail” teaches the basic techniques used since the middle ages to create a small piece of real, metal chain mail. Jeremy Faith is instructor for grades 6 and up.

“Drawing (yes, you can !)” offers students grades 4 and up the standard and innovative  techniques for Still Life, Landscape, Figures/Portraits and Perspective. Betsy Ward instructs.

“Multicultural Creations” is offered to younger students grades K-2. They will listen and dance to music and learn arts, crafts and games from many cultures around the world. Katie Werman leads the class.

“World of Watercolors,” for grades 4 and up, starts Sept. 27. Beth Nelson teaches techniques of wet-on-wet, dry brush, masking, edging and color blending.

John Faith brings “Special FX” to students in grades 6 and up. They learn intelligent lighting, basic programming and synchronizing lights to music. Beginning Oct. 4, this class is held in The Dungeon.

“The Masters and Me,” starting Oct. 15, studies great artists, resulting in projects that focus on style and technique. Open to grades 1-4; instructor is Betsy Ward.

Registration forms have been sent to area schools with information on dates, times and fees charged. Forms are also available at the Backus office and on the website, www.backusab.org. Registration forms must be mailed or dropped off at the Backus office at 900 Fifth St., International Falls. Some class size is limited, so early registration is encouraged. There is a limited amount of funding through the Otto Bremer Foundation for student scholarships. Call the Backus office at 285-7225 for more information.