PORT ANGELES — A Port Angeles teacher, artist, actress and parent not willing to let after-school children’s programs go by the wayside is working with area educators to fill the void.
The city of Port Angeles cut programs because of budget considerations.
Sarah Tucker, director of the Forte After School Club, has organized a series of classes to offer arts programs to children 7 to 12 years old.
The classes are offered weekly — for a fee — at the Camp Fire Club clubhouse at Webster Park, 619 E. Fourth St.
“I worked out a lease with the [Port Angeles] Parks and Rec department after their after-school program closed and the fine arts center was putting a hold on their after-school classes while they were going through the process of restructuring,” Tucker said.
“So it isn’t a city program, although they do work closely with me and promote me via word of mouth.”
Funding for existing city after-school programs was cut last year, said Corey Delikat, parks and recreation director.
“The youth and family programs got cut from the parks and recreation budget,” he said.
“We did lose funding in 2015 and again in 2016.”
Delikat said the Forte After School Club fills in that programming, with support from the city.
“We still see a need for these types of after-school programs,” he said.
The programs offered through the after-school club are Marine Debris Sculptures, Exploring Art, Forte Drama Club and Elements of Dance.
The programs are overseen by Tucker, Monica Quarto and Anna Pederson.
The $60 fee is per course each month, Tucker said, although youngsters can attend any of the classes for a one-time tryout for a $15 fee.
There is also a one-time charge of $15 to purchase supples, Tucker said.
Proceeds are used to pay for program costs and to purchase supplies.
Tucker hopes to eventually apply for nonprofit status once she has enough students participating in the programs.
Marine Debris Art Club
As part of the Marine Debris Art Club, Tucker — creator of marine debris sculptures for Port Angeles’ annual Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival, among other events — works with students on new marine debris art projects using flotsam collected by CoastSavers volunteers, she said.
For information about the statewide organization and its efforts, see www.coastsavers.org.
In addition, students will have the chance to prepare artwork for public display around Clallam County.
“My Marine Debris Art Club” will participate in a “show for the Second Weekend Art Walk in April at The Landings mall atrium,” Tucker said.
Tucker’s students “have also been constructing garments for the Trashion Show that will be held for RainFest on April 22 at the Rainforest Arts Center in Forks,” she said.
Tucker welcomes guest speakers who come to club sessions to talk about the impact of marine debris, as well as ways to solve the problem across and beyond the North Olympic Peninsula.
One such speaker who recently participated was Heidi Pedersen, an affiliate with the National Oceanic [and] Atmospheric Administration who talked about types of debris found and where it came from, Tucker said.
This class, for youths 7 to 12, is in session from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. every Monday at the clubhouse, adjacent to Jessie Webster Park.
Exploring Art
“The focus of the program is to teach the students about visual art and the visual elements like lines, shapes, tone, color, pattern, texture and form,” Quarto said.
“The students study this through a variety of exercises using different medias like drawing, painting, printmaking, collage, mixed media and papermaking.”
Students “will learn how to use the different medias,” Quarto said, with the ultimate goal of obtaining “confidence on what she or he creates and promote critical thinking along with problem-solving skills.”
The class uses still-life models for the students to draw, Quarto said, adding that the pupils also learn to make portraits and self-portraits.
“Also, we will be drawing and painting animals and landscapes,” she said.
This class, for youths 7 to 12, is in session from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. every Tuesday at the clubhouse.
Forte Drama Club
Tucker said that In the Forte club helps students develop communication skills and increase their confidence in public speaking and social interaction, all while learning about the elements of theater.
“The Forte Drama Club warms up with drama games and then proceeds to rehearse a short play to perform to parents on the last session of the month,” she said.
This class is in session from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. every Wednesday at the clubhouse.
Elements of Dance
“Elements of Dance is a creative movement dance class that explores the dance concepts [of] space, time, energy and body through a brain-compatible approach,” Pederson said.
“Each class, we learn and explore the concept given through various exercises and games that teach body-brain connection as well as teamwork and the tools to choreograph your own dance.”
This class “is open to boys and girls,” Pederson said, adding that no dance experience is necessary.
This class is in session from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. every Thursday at the clubhouse.
Spring Break
The Forte After School Club will host the Awesome Spring Break at Forte from April 4 to 7 to allow youngsters a place to gather during spring break, Tucker said.
There will be four different classes available each day:
■ Noon to 1:30 p.m. — Art Club students will participate in a felting project, papermaking and cardboard castle-building.
From 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. will be a supervised lunch break (students must provide own lunches).
■ 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. — Spanish Club or Marine Debris Club.
From 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. will be a snack break, with snacks provided.
■ 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. — Drama Club.
Pricing
The cost to participate in the spring break event is $60 for the week, with a $20 material fee for Art Club and a $10 fee for the instruction book for Spanish Club.
For more information about the programs, contact Tucker at 360-775-4154 or sarah@tuckerart.com.
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Reporter Chris McDaniel can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56650, or cmcdaniel@peninsuladailynews.com.
