Art For Health Program for Kids Expands

Lily Clement expresses herself through song at a recent “Art for Health” workshop sponsored by Door County Memorial Hospital.

The Women’s and Children’s Health Center at Door County Memorial Hospital is announcing another group of Art for Health workshops for children beginning in January. The Art for Health program is a series of free workshops for children that focus on music and art by way of performance and entertaining demonstrations.

These classes, suitable for children ages four to 12 years old, strengthen each participant’s relationship with art and emphasize how creativity in a child’s life contributes to their overall health.

“This program has been an absolute joy for everyone involved,” commented Jennifer Fischer, Director of the Women’s and Children’s Health Center at Door County Memorial Hospital. “Children are, of course, naturally creative and have been surprisingly anxious to grab a microphone and belt out a tune.”

Each Art for Health session runs for five consecutive weeks. The first session begins January 13 and runs each Wednesday through February 10. The second session begins February 17 and runs each Wednesday through March 17. All classes will be held at the Children’s Center at Door County Memorial Hospital in Sturgeon Bay at 4 pm and 6 pm. Classes run approximately one hour each.

Each class includes a craft or project linked together with music and movement. Activities for the children range from creating their own rain sticks, to painting their own masterpieces, to creating short, fun skits. Most classes include “jam sessions” with popular Door County musicians such as Dorothy Scott and Julian Hagan. Kids can shift their little bodies into gear with expression through dance, yoga and interpretive movement.

“We are so fortunate to have the support of organizations like the Peninsula Arts Association and the Door County Community Foundation to help us offer this type of programming,” added Fischer. “It has truly been a positive, collaborative effort.”

For more information on the Art for Health program, including a full schedule of activities, visit DCMH’s website at http://www.dcmh.org or call the Women’s and Children’s Center at 920.743.3666.