Donald
Teuma-CastellettI
NORWAY BAY July 18, 2017
Tuesday’s evening art events continued in Norway Bay last week, this time introducing children to the idea that vegetables don’t have to be just a dinnertime bore, but can also serve as a blank canvas.
Around ten children from the area came out to the Get Art event, painting gourds with their friends in a variety of fashions and colours.
Artists mixed their paint in plastic egg cartons, using the cups as a palette, and designed their gourd as they pleased, with many deciding on a more abstract choice. Some referred to their art in reference to round objects from pop culture, such as the Death Star from Star Wars.

When kids were done painting on their gourds, a clothing rack had been set up for the art to dry on. They could then continue to paint on construction paper, though many resorted to finger painting and eventually submerging their hands and arms into the paint.
Painters had come for a variety of reasons, from some being forced out of the house while their siblings needed quiet for a nap to others whose parents didn’t like the mess of painting in the house.
These sort of art events have come to Norway Bay in an effort to expand the programs available to the kids there, hoping to appeal to more interests beyond the sports-minded crowd. So far, event organizers have had their hands full with planning the Tuesday evenings, routinely hosting a decent turnout.
“The planning is the hardest part of doing the art,” said Get Art founder Kate Aley, this event’s art teacher. “The art is the most fun part.”
Aley highlighted the role of Norway Bay Municipal Association (NBMA) coordinator Sarah Murray for helping bring these kind of art events to the area, and the success that they’ve had. This has been the first year that Get Art has partnered with the NBMA, and Aley said she is pleased with the result.
“Norway Bay is known for sports,” said Aley. “It’s great to see to see success with the arts here.”
Next week will be the final Get Art event for Norway Bay’s summer activities, featuring lino-cut prints at the Centennial Hall on Tuesday, starting at 7 p.m.