PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The Wintergreen Arts Center is teaching art classes at five locations in Presque Isle this summer.
Classes will be held at the Presque Isle Housing Authority on Birch Street, the new Adult Daycare Center on Davis Street, Presque Isle Rehab and Nursing Center on Academy Street, Leisure Village Retirement Center on Dewberry Drive, and of course, the Wintergreen Arts Center on State Street.
“We’re thinking outside the Center this summer,” said Dottie Hutchins, Wintergreen’s executive director. “And, we’re gearing up to teach art classes in neighborhoods and senior care facilities throughout Presque Isle. This is a big step in Wintergreen’s goal to take art directly to people who may not otherwise be able to get to our Center.”
It is also the result of community partnerships Wintergreen has been building with several organizations in the Star City, partnerships created with the sole purpose of bringing neighborhoods and opportunities together.
“The Aroostook Medical Center first invited us to participate in a partnership-building meeting at the Presque Isle Housing Authority about a year ago,” said Hutchins. “And the results have been quite amazing. Probably a dozen organizations are now working together to bring a variety of quality programs to the Birch Street Neighborhood.”
Shaye McHatten, a Wintergreen Arts Center instructor, will be teaching ART-with-heart and Photography at the Presque Isle Housing Authority this summer. The goal of the ART-with-heart program is to create connections through art by incorporating teenage volunteers as mentors to work with the children on a wide range of art projects.
Wintergreen is also reaching out to enrich the lives of local senior citizens through art as well.
“Shaye will be teaching arts and crafts at the Agency on Aging’s new Adult Daycare Center, and the Presque Isle Rehab and Nursing Center in July,” said Hutchins. “And, in August, we’ll be leading a genealogy group at Leisure Village.”
Wintergreen is also offering classes at its 149 State Street location. In July, Kara Addington is teaching Pet Portraits, a community arts project to help homeless animals find forever homes. Students will paint portraits of animals living in local shelters to be displayed at area businesses in hopes of inspiring people to adopt a pet. In August, Shaye McHatten is teaching Photography at the Center.
The cost of classes for tenants of the Housing Authority and residents of senior care facilities is covered by the Authority and facilities. The cost of classes at the Wintergreen Arts Center is $50.00 per 3-week class, or $90.00 for the entire summer. For more information, or to register for classes, the public may call Wintergreen at (207) 762-3576.
