Project builds art appreciation for next generation of artists
<p>SHAWN GUST/Press Abby Hunter, 11, right, and Hannah Pettit, 13 work on smoothing blocks of freshly poured concrete Wednesday that will be for art projects an annual workshop at the Harding Family Center hosted through the Patrick Flammia Drawing Institute.</p>
<p>SHAWN GUST/Press An unfinished art creation by Abby Hunter that will be included in a series of mosaic-themed installments at the Harding Family Center.</p>
COEUR d'ALENE -The next art generation's foundation is placed block by block.
Ten future artists have been in charge of planting that cement, glass and Mosaic foundation at the Harding Family Center as part of the annual kids workshop through the Patrick Flammia Drawing Institute in Coeur d'Alene.
Flammia, the late artist and instructor who helped found Art on the Green 43 years ago, was more of a drawer. But the weeklong workshop brought in tools, devices and all sorts of contraptions this year.
"I don't know," said Abby Hunter, 11, trying to describe how she came about the design for her piece made of a giant fork, spoon, garden utensils and glittery tiles. "I just looked at the pieces and just decided on it."
The kids designed the artistic pieces to set inside concrete stones. Yes, they had to pour, mix and smooth the concrete, too (3,000 pounds worth).
The designs will be imbedded in the concrete blocks and the 15 Mosaic stepping stones will make a walkway through the community center's yard.
Those steps will be put in the ground Friday.
"To see our new generation carrying on these fabulous, innovative projects is very exciting," said Sue Flammia, Patrick's wife.
Not just the workshop, but watching the art culture in Coeur d'Alene grow over the years has been a pleasure, she said.
"It just grew and grew and grew, and now art is a very strong part of this community," she said. "And that's what we were hoping would happen."
The workshop has been going since 2006, the year Patrick passed away from natural causes.
It's the first year that the theme focused away from drawing and more to cement, gadgets and everything else.
Libby Gerber, the artist who instructed the kids through the hands-on project, said she remembers Patrick welded the wildest homemade tools when she took classes from him.
Now, the professional sculptor and artist who just moved from Los Angeles to Seattle before teaching this year's workshop, said the contraption theme is fitting.
"It's an homage to him," she said. "He taught so many kids."