Pandemic art project set

Arts Place is hosting a participatory art project for the entire community.

Entitled “Flying in Place, An Artist's Response to COVID-19,” it’s being launched by Mississinawa Valley art teacher Ashley Austerman in conjunction with visiting artist Kate Gorman.

“The idea is to promote unity and hope in our communities with a testament of our perseverance during this difficult time,” an Arts Place spokesman said.

On square sheets of paper, participants are asked to create a drawing on one side, then use the other side to express thoughts about the pandemic experience. Those thoughts might be in the form of a story or a poem or a list.

Then, following origami instructions provided by Arts Place, participants will fold the sheet into a paper crane.

Free kits for the project will be available at Arts Place beginning Monday.

The completed cranes should be dropped off at Arts Place by Aug. 15.

Then all of the cranes will be part of an exhibit on display from Sept. 4 to Oct. 4.

For more information, visit artist Kate Gorman’s YouTube channel or contact Arts Place at (260) 726-4809.



Distributing

LifeStream Services and Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana have expanded their Senior Safety Net food distributions to offer new locations.

In Jay County, the food distribution is on the first Tuesday of the month from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., or until supplies are depleted, at Asbury United Methodist Church in Portland.

The Senior Safety Net food distribution is in need of active volunteers to help manage the distribution of items on distribution days. Those interested in volunteering should contact Laura Bray, Volunteer Services Administrator, at (765) 759-3372 or email [email protected].



Extended exhibit

Arts Place is extending its Regional Student Art Exhibit through Friday, June 26.

The exhibit features art from students throughout the area.

It was originally meant to be displayed March 20 through April 19, but the coronavirus pandemic made that impossible. A digital tour was posted on artsland.org and is still available online.

Student artists, their families, and community members may view the exhibit at Arts Place beginning Monday during regular hours.

The exhibit is free. Masks are required to be worn by visitors and social distancing should be observed. If a person does not have a mask, one will be provided, Arts Place personnel said.



Virtual KiPS

Jay County Public Library will be offering a virtual kindergarten preparedness school (KiPS) this summer as a way of working around the COVID-19 pandemic.

From June 16 through July 21, there will be interactive instructional videos posted each Tuesday at 10 a.m. on the library’s Facebook page.

Virtual KiPS ill include six weeks of activities, stories and skill development to help prepare children for kindergarten.

To register a child for the no-cost program, visit the library’s website — jaycpl.lib.in.us — or the library’s Facebook page or stop by the library at 315 N. Ship St., Portland.

The program is aimed at children age 4 to entering kindergarten for the next school year.

Parents should stop by the library to pick up a KiPS bag, which includes worksheets, crafts and school supplies that are coordinated with the videos. The program is available to the first 100 to register. For more information, contact the library at (260) 726-7890.



To be virtual

State of the Heart Care is preparing for its 20th annual grief camp, but this year Camp Encourage will be virtual because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Camp Encourage at Home will be July 10-12 and accepts children ages 6-15 who have experienced the death of a loved one.

For more information, please visit our website at stateoftheheartcare.org/camp-encourage or contact camp director Ashlee Slavin at [email protected].