The Starkville Area Arts Council will distribute free art boxes to children in Starkville and Oktibbeha County Saturday, Sept. 26 from 9 a.m.-noon during Art in the Park at J.L. King Park at 400 N. Long St. in Starkville. Boxes are available on a first-come, first-served basis and limited to one box per child. After receiving boxes, families can either head home or find a spot in the park to sit down and create.
Boxes will include writing, drawing, painting supplies and more.
To accompany the art boxes, SAAC teaching artists are developing prerecorded activities children can follow in various art disciplines. As these become available, the lessons will be posted on social media and on the SAAC website (starkvillearts.net). Subject to grant funding, art education initiatives are expanding to include books and reading materials.
Current sponsors and funders for this year’s Art in the Park art boxes include Reading 2 Succeed, 4 County Foundation, Stromboli’s, the Del Rendon Foundation and Dunkington Art & Jewelry. Additional funds for this event are provided by the Greater Starkville Development Partnership and the Mississippi Arts Commission.
SAAC plans a second distribution date for art boxes in Oktibbeha County on Oct. 3 at Maben Park in the pavilion next to the public library.
In addition, two other local nonprofits are tentatively scheduled to coordinate outreach efforts. OCH Regional Medical Center will be at both J.L.King Park and Maben Park to distribute health information and toothbrushes, and the Oktibbeha County Branch of NAACP may also conduct outreach and provide voter information.
Masks and social distancing are required by Starkville ordinance. If you or anyone in your household has experienced COVID-19 symptoms, please stay home.
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