Troy University’s International Arts Center hosted the Pike County Boys and Girls Club last month as a part of their children’s program ArtSPARK.
On July 11 and 12, the children were able to explore the Huo Bao Zhu Gallery, the Nall Museum, Warriors Unearthed and the outdoor installation of 200 terracotta warriors. Other activities included learning how to screen print a tote bag, and an art project based on “Afterglow,’ an exhibit featuring work by Croatian-American artist Zdenko Krtić. “Afterglow” can be seen in the IAC Foyer Gallery until August 27.
The children enjoyed a snack in the Daniel Foundation of Alabama plaza beside Nall’s Peace Dove and learned about the history of the original Xi’an, China terracotta warriors in the interpretive exhibition. They finished the day exploring the Janice Hawkins Cultural Arts Park, including the popular activity of feeding the fish and turtles in the pond.
The July visit marked the second summer the International Arts Center has hosted the Pike County Boys and Girls Club and the second full year of the free monthly children and family program ArtSPARK, hosted by the IAC.
The next public in-person ArtSPARK will take place from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 26. Children and their caretakers can stop by at any time to create an art project, enjoy snack and story time, and visit the park to feed fish and turtles.
This program has been made possible by grants from the Alabama State Council on the Arts and National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. The IAC is very grateful to these organizations for their support and all they do for Alabama Arts.
