Summer of Enrichment

Several months back, Elizabeth Hoskyn was named the new Director of the Arts Center, located in Stuttgart. Hoskyn has hit the ground running with some great plans to keep school kids enriched and learning throughout the summer.

The Arts Center will be doing three weeks of Arts Camps and in addition to that, they are adding a SAMM Camp. Science, Art, Math and Music Camp. This will take four weeks for kids to learn and have fun. The UA-PCC Stuttgart campus has stepped in and will be doing two weeks of activities (more on that soon). The Grand Prairie Center will be holding the Artrageous week. If  other community organizations would like to be involved, contact Elizabeth Hoskyn at the Arts Center.

One of Hoskyn’s other goals for the Center was to promote local artists. Through the 70th Annual Grand Prairie Festival of the Arts, an artist came in to view the art and then came back with his work. They will be holding a gallery event for him on April 25.

When the Grand Prairie Arts Council was begun, in 1957, it wanted to create an Arts Center. It was the object and aim of the organization to study the practice of painting, promote local exhibits and arouse community interest and appreciation for the arts.

According to Hoskyn, “I am happy to say, the goals have not changed much.”

The council continues to promote the practice of all Arts in all ages. Currently, there are 3rd and 4th grade visual art and pottery classes on Monday afternoons’ 5th and 6th grade visual arts classes on Tuesdays and Junior high and Senior high pottery wheel classes on Monday nights. This initiative is supported by the Windgate Foundation and transportation is provided by Stuttgart Public Schools. It is free to all participants and is taught by.professional vetted artists.

Hoskyn said the last objective is to seek to involve the community in the appreciation of the arts. Come by the Center, view the art, volunteer, come to classes. They are working on interior improvements and could use worker bees. They want to replace the carpet with a flooring project so all can access the Center. Estimates for the project are around $14,000, so financial donations are appreciated. You can also touch the life of a child who can’t afford Art Camp or SAMM camp. The cost is $75, so you can sponsor a child.

All in all, Hoskyn seems to be the perfect fit for the Center moving forward, all she needs is a little help from the community. Isn’t it worth investing in the future of the arts and our children.

The Arts Center is located at 108 W. 12th St. Stuttgart and find them on the web at:

Thu 10am-2pm   Fri 10am-2pm  Sat Closed  Sun Closed.