Families across Troy are invited to mark their calendars for a morning of creativity, connection and community as ArtSPARK returns to the International Arts Center on Saturday, Feb. 28, from 10 a.m. to noon.

Held at the center, 158 International Blvd., the free event promises interactive art activities, live music and hands-on fun designed especially for children and their caregivers. Adults must accompany children, and families are welcome to drop in at any time during the two-hour program.

The February gathering will feature a special interactive performance at 11 a.m. by children’s entertainer Miss Calliope, known for her engaging blend of singing, movement and imaginative play. Learn more about Miss Calliope at www.misscalliope.com. Adding to the creative energy of the event, Rebekah Alexander will lead a hands-on art activity aimed at inspiring young artists and the adults who create alongside them.

Miss Calliope will already be a familiar face to many local students. She is scheduled to perform for all Troy Elementary School K–6 students on Friday, Feb. 27, making Saturday’s ArtSPARK an ideal opportunity for children to meet her again and continue the excitement through art and music.

ArtSPARK is a free family program launched in 2021 by the International Arts Center. Since its beginning, the initiative has focused on using art as a powerful tool to strengthen the bond between caregivers and children. Each event offers an art activity inspired by the art that is concurrently on display, an art scavenger hunt, snack and outdoor fun. The goal of the program is to encourage families to create together, fostering communication, collaboration and shared discovery.

By providing accessible arts programming at no cost, ArtSPARK reflects the International Arts Center’s mission to build community through creativity. Organizer Carrie Jaxon said she believes “art can serve as a meaningful bridge between generations, helping families connect in new and impactful ways.”

The program is made possible through grants from the Alabama State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency that supports artistic excellence and access to the arts nationwide.

For more information about the Feb. 28 ArtSPARK event, families can contact the International Arts Center at (334) 808-6412 or visit troy.edu/IAC.

With music, art and imagination on the agenda, ArtSPARK continues to offer Troy families a welcoming space to create, connect and celebrate the arts — together.