Young artists at work

Young artists in training were found staring silently at their canvases trying to figure out what to paint next during the last session of Buddies and Brushes Summer Camp in Morgan City.

Others chatted away holding their paintings to dry with a fan or blow dryer. The camp for children ages 3 through 10 wrapped up its last day Thursday.

Painting sessions are similar to those at Painting with a Twist. Only the twist here is it’s for children. Former M.D. Shannon Elementary kindergarten teacher Mallory Fuhrer created the painting summer camp.

The idea started as a birthday party option for friends with children. Later, she added adult birthday parties, mom-and-me classes, and husband-wife parties. Eventually, she started a summer camp which has been operating for six years.

Fuhrer’s plan is to immerse art activities in social studies and science lessons to first-graders at Maitland Elementary in the fall.

Buddies and Brushes helps kids learn the details of art that they don’t necessarily get in school, Fuhrer said.

Many art programs across the country in schools have been discontinued or scaled down to a minimum. Kids have fewer opportunities to nurture right brain activity.

St. Mary Parish schools have gifted and talented art teachers to work with qualifying students. Other classroom teachers try to incorporate art into the curriculum.

“Painting is good for children’s development and fine motor skills,” Fuhrer said. “They develop good communication skills and meet other children that they would not have met. They don’t get those art skills in school anymore.”

Fuhrer draws the images freehand on canvases. And the kids paint.

When in painting mode, the kids are focused on their work. There was very little talking. Second-year camp attendees enjoyed the freedom to choose what to paint.

“It’s really fun,” 8-year-old Addison Zerangue said. “You get to do your own creation. I just love to paint. You can use whatever colors you want and it’s like your creation. So, it’s like whatever you want to do. I think it’s really cool.”

She wants to return next summer.

Six-year-old Colin Landreneau enjoys painting. Last summer was his first time painting at the camp. This summer he painted Superman and a Ninja Turtle.

“It’s fun how you get to paint whatever you want,” Colin said. “Last year, we had to paint a certain thing. This year is more fun because we got to paint what we want.”

Brothers James “ J.R.” Bolner, 8, and Blake Bolner , 6, had differing views on painting in general.

“I like painting different things,” J.R . said. “I paint a lot at home. Usually, I paint Sponge Bob and Ninja Turtles. I tried to paint Captain America’s shield but that did not end up good.”

He also plays painting video games.

Blake was more into the idea of celebrating his birthday Thursday. As far as painting goes, he likes it “a little bit, not that much.”

Elizabeth Patterson, 6, listening to Blake Bolner’s lack of interest in painting, said to him, “It’s not your talent.”

Most parents sign their children up for activities based on interest. Patterson did not make the decision to attend camp.

“I didn’t decide,” Patterson said. “Mom just signed me up without asking. But she knows I like to paint.”

Patterson enjoyed the camp. And what stands out most for her is receiving assistance every step of the way.

“She helps us … Ms. Mallory,” Patterson said. “She helped me do some of the feathers and the eye, the body. She helped me do the whole thing. We did the whole thing.”

For more information about the Buddies and Brushes program, call Fuhrer at 985-312-4011. Painting camps are held at Dance World.