METCALFE MUSEUM

Metcalfe Museum Summer Youth Art Camp has ended for another year. The week seemed to fly by as each day the students completed several projects. The first three days were spent with Nena Wells of the Upper Washita Conservation District working with our youth making them aware of nature around them here in Western Oklahoma. One of her goals in teaching these classes is to stress soil and land conservation. We appreciate Nena and the programs UWCD offers to our students. Making of kites, leather work, and Journaling were some of the projects Nena instructed. Nena has always been ready and more than willing to teach each time we ask.

Paula Isch was Nena’s assistant for the three days she was with us. For several years now Paula has filled her van with as many students as the law will allow and brings them to art camp, even on days she is not teaching Origami. I learned just yesterday that the last day of camp she has them bring a sack lunch and they stop at Spring Creek Lake for a picnic. Paula has always put a lot of time and effort into our art camp and we appreciate all she has contributed over the years.

When we first met Sarah Harless she was Sarah Jrab. Roger and I signed her up for the first art camp we organized after she had a photography showing in our gallery.

We have been pleased that she has been able to teach every summer for the last five years. Since first meeting Sarah she has become Mrs. Zack Harless, acquired her Bachelor and Master of Arts Education from SWOSU, and joined the Kelton, Texas school faculty where she, of course, teaches art. Each fall she enters her students in our Augusta Metcalfe Memorial Art Competition where they are always winners. Sarah gives private lessons as well as does work shops. Her e-mail address is [email protected] should you be interested in lessons. This year the students created their own designs on their camp shirts, did scratch art and for the first time had an introduction to pastel. They have always been excited about scratch art but I think this year they really started to appreciate what they could do with pastel.

Each year our teachers start planning their programs several months in advance. We want to give them plenty of time so we can provide the best supplies they will need. We are able to do this because of our camp fee and because of a grant we receive from the Nettie Boggs Foundation. We are also happy to receive scholarships for our camp students if you are interested in contributing to this effort.

Break O’Day Farm, Metcalfe Museum and Art Gallery are open March 1 until November 30. Our hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 am-5:00 pm. School, bus, group and individual tours are welcome. Visit our web www. metcalfemuseum.org or e-mail [email protected] or call 655-4467.