CROTHERSVILLE
This summer, youth from the Crothersville area will be able to learn art while improving the community.
The inaugural Crothersville Summer Youth Art Program is scheduled for 8 a.m. to noon June 15 and 29 and July 13 and 20 at Countryside Park, 5725 S. County Road 1000E, Crothersville.
It’s free for ages 7 to 18 and sponsored by the town in cooperation with the Crothersville Parks Board, Crothersville Youth League, Crothersville Community School Corp. and Beauty from Ashes Tattoo Parlor.
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Organizers say youth will learn different types of art in an applied setting while making their community a more beautiful place to live.
Under adult supervision, children will apply the types of art they learn to paint the dugouts at the park.
Earlier this month, Jamy Greathouse, a member of the youth league board, presented information about the program to the Crothersville Town Council and also asked for and gained approval to do the program at the park since it’s on town property.
"A town this size, we would take 12, 15 kids as a huge success," he said. "If that was really able to connect with three or four of those kids to propel them on with art or another three or four with the feeling of ownership in the community to take pride like some other people have stepped up lately to take over some things as generations have started to pass and they grow up with that pride in the community, we’ve 100 percent won."
Then May 22, Greathouse and Kyle McIntosh, owner of Beauty from Ashes, put on a convocation at Crothersville Elementary School in hopes of generating interest among the kids. McIntosh did some graffiti art, while Greathouse explained how the summer art program will work.
"Maybe this is a trial run, and maybe if it is successful, we start looking at other projects — shelter houses or other things in town," Greathouse said. "We can continue to do this and do an annual summer art program to keep that moving and keep that growing as long as we have the community support and Kyle and his group is willing to help out with the rest of it on the other aspect of it."
When some new people joined the youth league board a couple of months ago, Greathouse said they talked to the parks board about the need for repairs and projects at the park.
That included improving the look of the dugouts and the building that houses the concession stand and restrooms.
Greathouse said he saw a mural inside a Salem restaurant that McIntosh had done, and he asked him about helping beautify Countryside Park.
McIntosh agreed to redo the park logo and put a mural on the concession stand building.
"He said, ‘But do you want to go on a journey with me? Do you want to take it a step further?’" Greathouse said.
That’s when McIntosh suggested a summer art program for youth to learn different aspects of art from him and some other volunteer artists and apply those processes in painting the dugouts.
Greathouse said he thought it was an amazing idea to spruce up the park.
"We want to be able to get that recognition, put a spotlight on it, improve the look overall and improve the community feel toward the entire situation," he said.
Greathouse said businesses and organizations already have reached out to him to donate supplies for the program.
Plus, he received the support of the town council.
"I figure anything you can do with the kids in this town is great. I really do," Councilman Bob Lyttle said to Greathouse. "Kyle is a very good person to work with kids. I know you are, too, and I think it’s something to get the kids involved, maybe keep them out of a little mischief in the summer. I’ll be honest with you, you’ve got my 100 percent support."
Councilman Chad Wilson applauded everyone involved in bringing excitement to the kids.
"There are 100-plus kids involved in our baseball program, and that is just absolutely amazing," he said. "Your group has done a wonderful job. Keep up the good work. I support you and what you guys are doing 100 percent."
While he and McIntosh are leading the charge, Greathouse said they are not doing it for recognition.
"It’s about promoting the community and trying to get some of the youth put back into it to take the pride and ownership and bring the community together as a whole," he said.
"If we can start spinning a positive light and get the word out there and get more people out there — people walking the trails, people coming by to see the art — then we’ve completely done our job and drew the attention so we can continue to grow with our youth league and the other things that we’re trying to do," he said.
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What: Crothersville Summer Youth Art Program
When: 8 a.m. to noon June 15 and 29 and July 13 and 20
Where: Countryside Park, 5725 S. County Road 1000E, Crothersville
Who: Boys and girls ages 7 to 18
Cost: Free
Sponsors: Town of Crothersville, Crothersville Parks Board, Crothersville Youth League, Crothersville Community School Corp. and Beauty from Ashes Tattoo Parlor
Information: Visit facebook.com/crothersvillecommunityartprogram or contact Kyle McIntosh at 812-793-0060 or Jamy Greathouse at 812-216-0472 or [email protected]
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