Beginning Oct. 11, the children of Charleston will have the opportunity to be a part of Art Hour, a program designed for children to explore art and the different medias, at Charleston Carnegie Public Library.

Beth Lugar, program coordinator of Art Hour, said during this program, now its second semester of operation, students will be able to construct and display their own projects.

She said she hopes children will want to attend the program because many children in the community are not exposed to art in school anymore.

Each program will begin with a book or story related to the project, Lugar said. The project and goal of the day will then be introduced and presented to the class. Students will then be able to begin their work.

Students will learn about art, but also will gain confidence, Lugar said. After the children finish their projects they will stand in front of the class and display their artwork.

She said this show-and-tell type setting will allow students to show off their work and receive critiques from the class.

Both students and Lugar will give the students suggestions and compliments towards their work.

“While we are critiquing, it becomes more of a group project, not just an individual thing,” she said. “All the students work to discuss the likes and dislikes of the project being displayed.”

Lugar said she has purchased large display boards for the children’s artwork that she will showcase at the library.

Toward the end of the program, students will hopefully have enough work to have a display exhibit, she said.

“I want students to be proud of their work and realize they are doing a great job,” Lugar said.

Lugar said after the budget cuts at Carl Sandberg Elementary School and Charleston High School suffered last year, the Library wants to still be able to give children the opportunity to show their artistic side.

“I know how disappointed the children are due to the loss of art and I don’t want to take that away from them,” she said.

Lugar, who said she always has enjoyed art and even majored in it, said she wants to use her talents to help children.

She said the program will expose children to various forms of media, such as tessellations, cubism, a mummy case, a drawing of a tennis shoe and the construction of clay monsters.

Lugar said she has spent time choosing projects that she feels all children will enjoy and learn from.

“We are rebuilding the library staff slowly and we want to have events that benefit the children of the community,” Lugar said.

Lugar said she will also have the help of a retired elementary school teacher, Chris Wesch, for Art Hour.

“Her enthusiasm and experience makes her a great help to the program,” she said.

Lugar said students will bond throughout this experience because they will be among their peers.

The younger children learn from the older children making it like a mentor program, she said. Home schooled students also enjoy the program because they interact with other children and receive credits, Lugar said.

Lugar said she encourages the students of Eastern to also come explore the library and the things it has to offer.

“I want to give back to the community, because art was a huge influence on my life,” she said.

Although most of the supplies for Art Hour are already available, Lugar said donations are very much appreciated.

The community can donate items for the Art Hour to use during their programs.

Children ages 8 and up are welcome to enroll in this program at no cost.

Art Hour will continue from 4 to 5 p. m. until Dec. 5 at the Charleston Carnegie Public Library.

Maggie Hockenberry can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].