From whimsical frogs with umbrellas to master-style portraits, Jane Unruh Thiesen brings a unique artistic flair to her role as Program Assistant at Winkler Arts and Culture (WAC). Having been with WAC for about a year, Unruh Thiesen helps plan events, find instructors, and bring creative programming to life for all ages.
“I kind of help plan events and classes and that kind of thing, finding instructors,” she said. A visual artist herself, Unruh Thiesen works primarily with gouache. “It’s kind of a mix between watercolor and acrylic. It kind of gives you the freedom of both, but the benefits of both as well.”
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Art camps spark summer creativity
Winkler Arts and Culture is once again offering summer day camps for kids, with sessions designed to inspire and encourage creativity through a variety of art mediums.
“In the morning from 10 to 12, we’ll have kids ages 5 to 8 come do some art for a couple hours,” said Unruh Thiesen. “In the afternoons, we’ll have kids ages 9 to 13 from 1 to 3.” Each week-long camp runs for five days, and each day features a different artistic medium—everything from watercolours to acrylics, drawing, and crafts.
“We’re focusing a little bit more on art itself this year,” she added. “Parents can sign their kids up for a week at a time.”
Each week also features a unique theme that helps guide the creative activities. “We’ve got themes from ‘Beachy Keen’ for the hotter weeks to ‘Dinosaurs,’ to ‘Art Masters’ at the end of summer,” said Unruh Thiesen. “For ‘Animal Kingdom,’ we’re doing animal-based activities. One of them, we’re doing like some paint on a paper and then you fold it in half and you make a symmetrical tiger.”
Registration and details
Camps cost $70 per week, and families can register either online or in person. “You can purchase tickets online or in person,” said Unruh Thiesen, adding that registration stays open up until the week the camp begins. “If you’re running late, procrastinating, don’t worry about it.”
This year, WAC is offering six weeks of camps, with a break in the middle. “The last week is August 18th to the 22nd.” she noted.
Art for the whole community
Beyond summer camps, WAC continues to be a vibrant hub for community creativity. “Be sure to check in on their website or social media to stay up-to-date,” said Unruh Thiesen, who also contributed to WAC’s Faces of Winkler exhibit.
“I got to paint two people who met through Regional Connections. Their story’s really cute,” she shared.
For more information or to register for summer camps, visit www.winklerarts.com.