A meet and greet dinner, hosted by Cultural Crossroads of Minden, will be at The Farm Tuesday ahead of the Art and Soil program set to begin in March.
The dinner, set for 6:30 p.m., will allow parents and students who have been recommended by area principals and teachers to meet with master teachers who will be heading up the various art and life skills classes.
“We also invited those who still want to see what the program will involve,” Chris Broussard, Cultural Crossroads executive director, said. “I am hoping that it will spark some enthusiasm about the program and the kids can talk it up among their friends. This is a chance for them to find themselves, have fun being creative and work towards summer employment opportunities at The Farm.”
Broussard says part of mentoring these students is having them work with people in the community.
“We are going to be doing some stuff that even the public will want to learn how to do,” she said. “It will truly be a community affair, a sharing of resources, knowledge and experience. We will all learn from each other.”
The first class will be at the beginning of March, Broussard said. Each Thursday afternoon will be set aside for the after-school art/life skills class and every Saturday will include some skill training and entrepreneurial workshops that will result in producing pieces of functional art for sale with commissions going to the students.
“This is the first time we have ever attempted anything like this and we’re hoping that if it’s successful, we can sponsor it again next year,” she said. “The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation Grant will give us the resources to be able to pull in skilled professionals who are willing to work with these students and share their particular skill and/or art.”
The grant came as a part of BCBS Louisiana’s “Angels of Change” program, where Cultural Crossroads was chosen as one of 20 recipients to receive $50,000 towards the Art and Soil program. It is open to only 30 students and there is no cost to the student or the parents. All supplies will be provided to all participants.
All those who complete the course will receive a certificate and an opportunity for a part-time, paid job to help mentor and assist children during the annual Summer Art Kids Camp at The Farm.
While the program is only three months – from March until May – Broussard says they will follow the students through the first half of the 2016-17 school year.
“If there are any students or parents who feel this program is suited for them and did not receive an invitation, we would encourage them to come anyway,” she said.
For more information, call Broussard at 318-393-5991 or email her at ghostchicken54@gmail.com