About Art in the Park - Volunteers Needed!

The 3rd Annual Art in the Park Children’s Art Festival will take place Saturday, October 7th, from 9:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at Starkville’s McKee Park. Presented by the Starkville Area Arts Council, the festival is a free event, and is designed to inspire and promote creativity in elementary and pre-­‐school children. Over eighteen artistic activities have been planned for kids to enjoy and participate in, as well as a kid’s dance off and karaoke.

Local community and civic groups including, Del Rendon Foundation, MSU Figure Drawing Club, Starkville Kiwanis, Starkville Strings School, Starkville Community Theatre, and Starkville-­‐Oktibbeha School District Emerson Centered Programs have all signed on to support, collaborate, and present different artistic activities. Many area artists, musicians, and dancers have also signed on to provide demonstrations and work with the children as they explore artistic expression.

The festival will feature hands on art activities with many local artists serving as demonstrators and hands on instructors. Booths will include clay, block printing, gourd art, photography booth with props, drama, chalk walk, jewelry making, face painting, writing and word blocks, fiber art, dance, and drawing. Children will be encouraged to create art that they can then take home with them.
Hands on musical opportunities will include violin and strings, guitar, and percussion booths featuring local musicians. There will also be a mural wall for kids to paint, kid’s karaoke, and a kid’s free style dance off.

All activities are free. There are no food booths, and parents or care givers are encouraged to bring snacks and a drink if they plan to attend and stay throughout the morning. In keeping with the concept of a free event, the Starkville Area Arts Council has partnered with Chill Zone of Starkville to provide a free frozen treat to the first 500 children (under the age of 12) in attendance. There will be a registration table for attendees, and children under the age of twelve must be accompanied by an adult.

The Starkville Area Arts Council (SAAC) is proud to bring this festival to Starkville and appreciates the support of the City of Starkville and Greater Starkville Development Partnership, National Endowment for the Arts, Mississippi Arts Commission, and local businesses and individuals. Additional information about the SAAC can be found at www.starkvillearts.org.

Application Process

Volunteers must be 18 years or older and must commit to at least a 1 hour shift. Students interested in volunteering should provide their name and contact information via e-mail or phone call, as well as preferred shift(s).

SET UP : Set up tents, table, chairs, signs, and trash cans TIME: 6:45 AM - 8:45 AM
ART SHIFT 1 : Assist artist/organization at booths (2-4 volunteers per booth) TIME: 8:45 AM - 10:45 AM
ART SHIFT 2: Assist artist/organization at booths (2-4 volunteers per booth) TIME: 10:45 AM - 12:45 PM
TAKE DOWN: Take down tents, tables, chairs, signs, and assist with loading TIME: 12:45 PM - 2:00 PM