Western Financial gets colourful facelift from kids

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“I’ve always really liked art and it’s been really fun. It’s always something I can turn to when I’m having tough times and it’s really nice to have something that you can do,” said the teen.

“It’s the best part of my week by far and Brandi’s such a great teacher. I’ve learned so much from her.”

Sophie, an 11-year-old Grade 6 student at College Park, is also loving the academy.

“I’m learning that art isn’t just like a form that shows people what you can do. I’m learning that it’s something you can express yourself and may help other people,” she said.

She says working with others on a project like the Western Financial mural is fun and explained what she was brushing on at the moment with acrylic paint.

“I am painting some flowers on the window in different colours that we can choose and there’s lots of creativity,” she said.

The youngster also noted it means a lot to her to have Hofer as a mentor.

“She’s exposing us to a bigger world of art than what we’re used to. It means a lot that she’s putting in a lot of effort to care for us,” she said.

The art academy is set to paint a mural at Grindin Gears Bikes ‘N

Boards this month.

The academy is also a part of the Mick Classen Faces of Lloydminster art project and will put one of those faces on the school grounds of College Park—with more projects to come.

“We’re having an art show and we’re walking over to Spiro’s and then we’re having a wearable art show movie day, so we’ve got a packed two months left in the program. It’s really exciting,” said Hofer.

There are 30 students in the academy but Hofer expects that number to double next year with the addition of Grade 5 students in the LPSD.

“So, it’s growing; it’s just a beautiful, safe creative space we’re setting up that students can be a part of and have that safe, creative outlet,” said Hofer.

“That’s the concept of the whole program.”