Bonney Lake Sponsors Free Art Classes at Library

Looking for something creative for your kids to do on a Friday night? Consider signing them up for free art classes at the Bonney Lake Library.

, Art Commissioner for the Bonney Lake area, will be teaching free art workshops to local middle and high school kids on Fridays through the spring.

Workshops will consist of painting, instruction and critique. Art supplies, like watercolor paints and brushes, will be available for use during the class. If you would like to purchase your own supplies, has a list of needed tools in the watercolor paint section of the store.

Schwartz has taught art classes all over the country, specializing in watercolors. She will be providing additional mediums to add texture and metallics to the art if desired.

"The mayor is tickled pink," said Schwartz of Mayor Johnson. "He supports the arts and supports kids."

The theme of the current class and contest is the artist’s interpretation of What Is A Garden? Photographs of garden items will be supplied or the artist may bring their own.

If your teen is interested in becoming a published artist, he or she can submit their art to the city’s Community Garden art contest.

The winning picture will become the annual poster of the Bonney Lake's Community Garden. The picture will hang with a blue ribbon in the office of Mayor Neil Johnson and later be auctioned off. Proceeds from the auctioned original art piece and from poster sales will directly benefit the community garden. The contest will be judged by community leaders.

Gary Leaf, Bonney Lake's Community Services Director, is working closely with Schwartz on the project. "After obtaining approval from Mayor Johnson and the council, I have pledged $500 of city funds for materials needed for the contest," said Leaf. "We are in uncharted territory, since this is the first art contest for this purpose. It will be good for the community garden."

Schwartz is very enthusiastic about beginning this program and relays its seriousness. "This type of training and being part of a quality art group is a big resume builder," she said. 

The city is considering opening up the contest to local business participation, too.

"We are thinking about possibly soliciting donations from local businesses to use as prizes for the finalists and maybe making up a calendar with their art," said Leaf.

Bonney Lake's Community Garden is located 18421 89thSt E, in Bonney Lake, adjacent to the Bonney Lake Lions 4 Kids house. This is a trial location and future home of Bonney Lake's new City Hall. Some food grown at this garden goes directly to our local food bank. For more information about the city garden, see the City of Bonney Lake's Web Page , click here, or contact Bonney Lake food bank director, Stew Bowen at (253) 208-6779.  

With art not being part of our standard curriculum in the Sumner Public Schools, this is a unique opportunity for our community's youth.

"These (artistic) kids deserve to show what they really love. This is fun and provides freedom from academics and computers for a little while," said Schwartz.

If you have any questions about the program, please contact Lucy Schwartz at 253-327-8378.

Here’s a list of dates for upcoming free art classes, held at the Bonney Lake Library:

March 11: 6p.m. – 9:30p.m.

April 8: 5-9 p.m.

April 29: 5-9 p.m.

May 6: 5-9 p.m.

May 20: 5-9 p.m.