MEMORIAL WORKSHOP A by-donation Pynelogs art workshop for children held in honour of the late Sue Wells, a well-known artist and art teacher in the valley, will take place on October 18th. Photo submitted
By Breanne Massey
Pioneer Staff
Creative kids and artisans from the Columbia Valley plan to honour the late Sue Wells.
The memorial art workshop will be for children who can spend a couple of hours working on a project that can be taken home from Pynelogs Cultural Arts Centre between 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Sunday, October 18th.
There will be six stations with different mediums so kids can choose what they want to do including painting and paper mache, said Carly Wells, event organizer and the daughter of Sue Wells. My mother painted, mostly watercolors, especially flowers and trees. We will be showing the kids some techniques that she used to (try).
In addition, there will be colouring sheets for children under the age of five years old who want to participate, which were created by Carlys daughter, Alisha.
All kids any age are invited, added Carly. We will be giving invitations to every school and welcome any visitors to the valley as well.
The decision to offer the Sue Wells Art Day stems from a love of creativity and painting that only increased while Sue coped with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease (COPD).
My mother had COPD and, in the last few years of her life, I moved her into a big house with myself and my daughter Alisha so I could care for her, explained Carly.
She spent so much time with Alisha, mostly cooking or drawing. She was a huge influence in our lives and inspired both of us to be creative. Her passion for art has been passed on to myself and my daughter and we want to get kids excited about art as well.
Her love of art was a lifelong commitment that Sue helped bring to the forefront of the community.
My mom taught painting classes here in Invermere at the college and at Pynelogs and was a part of the artists community, said Carly. Her love of art started as a child and she took great pleasure in teaching Alisha drawing, painting and anything crafty. She thought it was important for all kids to have an opportunity to create art and express themselves. After she passed, the family decided that an annual free art day for all kids would be a great memorial for our mother.
Food will be donated by Sobeys and From Scratch, so participants can have a snack between the workshops.
There will be a collection of paintings by Sue hung at Pynelogs for the event as well.
The day-long workshop is funded by donations and from the family estate, but donations are welcome as there is a push to make the Sue Wells Art Day an annual event for children over the age of five.
Call Black Star to register at 250-342-6663.
