The Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation has begun gearing up for August events. Registration for the fall session of the River Kids Free After School Art program is underway. A canning and pickling workshop will also be held.

An afterschool program for children that encourages and emphasizes art has been offered at the SCHC for nearly the entire time the foundation was established, which was 24 years ago, SCHF executive director Stacey Mahoney.

“The children’s art program has been named different things, but it has been around since very near the beginning,” Mahoney said.

Offered to children who are in the first through sixth grade, the fall session of the art camp will be held one day a week for 13 weeks beginning Aug. 30.

The program will run from 3:45 until 5 p.m. and up to 60 students will be accepted.

Mahoney said there are several contributing factors as to why she thinks the program has remained successful.

One of which, she said, is the program has evolved through the years. Another is staffing.

“Karen Biedenharn has been teaching in this program very early on, and I would say this is a big reason the art camp is still around,” Mahoney said.

Also, because the art program is funded by grant money received from the Mississippi Arts Commission, it can be offered free of charge.

However, it does require a full semester commitment from parents.

Mahoney said since the program is very popular they typically have a waiting list and this assures no possible spot will be left vacant. 

Activities that will be offered during the art program will include drawing, painting, collage, ceramics and sculpture.

“The teachers carefully plan for each class,” Mahoney said, adding, “Karen has already given me her list for the fall supplies.”

Assisting with the teaching this year, is Ashleigh Holliday.

“Ashleigh has served as a substitute for the program,” Mahoney said, but this year she will be taking on a full time role.

To aid the teachers, there are also several volunteers who help out each week. “What is really cool is we have our two paid teachers, but then we have assistants and volunteers who help with the program. A lot of our assistants are kids who have been in the program. They like to come back and help when they are older and volunteer,” Mahoney said.

From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. , Aug. 6, a canning and pickling workshop will be held at the SCHC. The presenter will be William Furlong and participants will learn how to stretch their grocery dollars by canning and preserving their own produce.

“They will learn about the canning and pickling equipment, how to do it safely, and William will share recipes and tips,” Mahoney said.

All supplies, including fruits and vegetables, will be provided, Mahoney said.

The cost of the workshop is $40 for members and $45 for nonmembers.

For more information on either the River Kids Free After School Art program or the Canning and Pickling Workshop, call 601-631-2997 or email info@southernculture.org.