Art faculty, students volunteer at children's workshop featuring popular musical duo

A day of crafts, song and dance will bring kids from the community onto campus Dec. 8.

The art department has sponsored its annual Christmas Workshop for 11 years and plans to hold it again this year for children from all over the central Texas area.

Helen Kwiatkowski, art professor and organizer of this year’s event, is excited about the day and its benefit for the community.

“The Christmas Workshop is an annual event that raises money for Belton Communities-In-Schools.  It is co-sponsored by the UMHB Art department and the UMHB Conservatory,” she said.

The event, which costs $15 per child, begins at 9:30 a.m. and consists of two components.  Children will first get an opportunity to participate in an art workshop in the drawing room located behind the current ceramics studio.

“In the past, we have had a variety of activities, but this year we are trying something new,” Kwiatkowski said.  “We will be making different kinds of puppets.”

Following the art activities, the children will be entertained in Shelton Theater by Toucan Jam, a musical duo from Fayettevile, Ark. who “have a wonderful program that involves costumes, puppets, music and stories from around the world,” Kwiatkowski said.

An essential part of the day is the workers.  UMHB students and faculty have traditionally offered to help with the workshop.

“This event is a completely volunteer activity that requires about 25 helpers,” Kwiatkowski said.

Parents are invited to stay with their children and participate in the art activities and concert. Children 6 years old and younger must have a parent stay with them for the entire workshop.

Not only art students get involved. Michael Ivey, a junior exercise and sport science major helped last year by dressing up as the workshop elf. 

“I had fun being there and hanging around with the kids. It showed me that you can have fun doing that kind of stuff,” he said. 

Ivey took pictures with children and alsoassisted in the other activities during the workshop. 

Terah Sellars is a junior art major who has signed up to volunteer this year.

“I think the kids really enjoy the time to relax and just play,” she said.   

Sellars not only believes the activity has a positive impact on the children who attend.

 “I think that events such as these really bring together our university.  When we are serving together, naturally, people grow closer,” she said.

The event gives students and faculty the opportunity to pour into the youth of the community and benefit the Belton Communities-In-Schools program.

Ivey enjoyed the event because he realized he was making a difference.

“People can get together and socialize with the younger generation,” he said.  “They look up to somebody, so why can’t it be us?”