Understanding how artistic activities create community and form relationships, Maria Barranco Escobar was able to hold a special summer arts camp thanks to Creative Kids to help ease transition into high school for grade seven students.

Barranco Escobar is the mental health capacity-building coordinator at Weyburn Comprehensive School. She says she wanted to help ease anxiety for students entering high school for the first time. “The Mix and Art camp was started with the aim of fostering a sense of belonging by building connections to the older students in high school, as well as to the artists in the community so they could also continue their connection with art.”

The Art Camp held six sessions over the summer, focusing on pottery, painting and ceramics for students from ages 12 to 18. The Camp also connected 15 participants to two local artists, Regan Lanning from the Spark Centre and Krystal Glowatski from Collaborative Studios. Glowatski says she enjoyed leading the sessions and was happy so many youth now know about her art studio so they can pursue further classes in the future. “It was incredible to see the studio filled with teens enjoying painting ceramics and joining in our teen paint night nurturing their creativity,” she says. “Tapping into this creativity helps them develop their critical thinking, decision-making, self-esteem and confidence. It is this creativity that will lead them into a bright future. We were humbled to be able to be involved in that!”

Participating in artistic activities has other benefits, such as creating new experiences, says Barranco Escobar. “When a person is in contact with new people, situations and new places, it creates a web of connection. It helps them to adapt to changes. Becoming more flexible makes it easier in the future to take those steps again, which is a great boost for self-confidence.”

The camp not only built connections to new peers, but what they gained from it will help the youth moving forward, she says. “Creating this first step of improving their self-confidence, while expressing themselves through art, is one way of building the base for having good mental health and well-being presently and in the future.”

The parents’ feedback indicated that their kids enjoyed their experience and were excited to go to the classes. After the camp, Barranco Escobar says many of the youth found their passion and expressed an interest in attending more art classes outside of school. She adds, now more Weyburn families are aware of the support that Creative Kids can provide when there are financial barriers. “Creative Kids shows the parents and families that there’s an organization that cares and can help their child participate in an artistic activity.”