Immersions Program revamped at Thomasville Center for the Arts

Sep. 25—THOMASVILLE- Thomasville Center for the Arts has long offered their Immersions program for young Thomasville, Thomas County, Grady County and Brookwood Pre-K students who are interested in expressing themselves through a new vessel. Under the direction of recent hire, Janet Cable, the program has undergone quite a few changes that allow the community to become directly involved with the students and the activities they are engaging in.

"We worked with volunteer organizations and peers, many of which were formerly teachers to get their feedback on what was developmentally and age appropriate for these students," Cable said.

One of the organizations Cable is working with is the Philanthropic Education Organization.

PEO President, Dona Evans said she has loved the program so far.

The program begins with the students touring the gallery, where they learn who painted the pieces on display and what colors were used. After a tour of the gallery, head volunteer Ginny Stewart leads them to the stage for a book reading.

Currently, Stewart is reading the children a book titled, "The Beautiful Oops," which encourages kids to not get upset over a mistake. The book demonstrates how art is often created from works of scraps or items that may seem of no value.

Once they finish the book, the students are taken downstairs, where they are tasked with creating their own artwork.

"We want them to express themselves however they want," Cable said. "We don't want them to be afraid of making a mistake. This is designed to help them find beauty in their unique perspectives."

Students may take inspiration from the paintings they saw upstairs, but are reminded there is no right or wrong artwork.

"I would definitely say it's one of their favorite parts," Evans said. "They create their own masterpiece."

If they finish their artwork early, they are invited into the play area, where they can draw with stencils, play LEGOS, or play dress up.

The entire day's plan and curriculum is devised by Stewart.

Stewart explained her main goal is to help kids express themselves after such a long time in isolation, due to COVID-19.

"We are immersing them in this amazing experience using all the senses," she said. "My end goal is that they can think outside the box. They live in a digitized world, where they don't have to create anything, but here they are given a blank canvas."

While it is difficult for Cable to compare what they did in years past to what they are doing currently, she said she definitely thinks having former educators' insight and perspective has strengthened the program.

With educators in mind, Cable would love to eventually begin offering the Immersions program to kindergarten and first grade.

"I would love to see curriculums developed around books we read them in the theater," she said. "There's always room to invent things and come up with new ideas."

In addition to creating new things, Cable and Stewart want to show kids from all socio-economic backgrounds that art is for anybody, not those who can just afford it, they said.