Children create masks out of paper plates with DePauw students.
TYLER MURPHY / THE DEPAUW
Balloons and people filled the Great Hall of the Judson and Joyce Green Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday to kick off ArtsFest 2014.
Greencastle community children and DePauw students gathered in the hall to celebrate Art Attack’s thirteenth year.
Art Attack is an event where organizations on campus come together to create booths and activities tailored to get the kids involved in art.
The events were geared toward children between the ages of five and 12, beginning at 12:30 p.m. and lasting for approximately two hours.
At 2:00 p.m. the children were led in a songwriting workshop by folk singer and songwriter Bobbie Lancaster. Lancaster also held several performances throughout the event.
As soon as guests climbed the balloon-laden front steps of the building they were greeted with a “musical petting zoo” put on by The Castle. Several instruments were on the floor sitting in a circle.
The children were encouraged to test out the different instruments as well as participate in a drum circle, where a variety of drums and bongo beats echoed through the circular front room.
The Key Notes also gave a performance, singing their renditions of Charlie XCX’s “Boom Clap” and Miley Cyrus’ ever-popular “Wrecking Ball.”
The booths centered around the arts and kids with blue or red hands. Kids could make masks out of paper plates or ghosts out of lollipops and napkins. Guest could also make beaded bracelets or necklaces with Lifesavers.
Sophomore Kyle Frohning enjoyed the event and loved how it brought together both the DePauw and Greencastle communities.
“Art Attack did a great job showing the Greencastle community all of the unique opportunities DePauw has and are available to the community,” Frohning said.
Junior Jordan Baker agreed with Frohning.
“I thought it was a lot of fun,” Baker said. “It was my first time doing this and it was great seeing the kids get excited about the crafts and getting to interact with them.
Kids bang on bongos and other assorted drums in the drum circle.
TYLER MURPHY / THE DEPAUW
Senior Benjamin Ramos enjoyed seeing the youth get involved in the arts.
“Art Attack was a great opportunity to share the joy of creativity with the next generation of artists,” Ramos said. “One small moment of creation can inspire a lifetime of love and appreciation. With performances from organizations and crafts from others I think we kicked off ArtsFest with a fun and exciting bang and I can’t wait to share joy and laughter with the rest of campus.”
The theme for this year’s festivities is “Art and Laughter” and will feature a different event each day.
Some of them include the Kelley Writers’ Series guest Jess Walters, a screening of the film “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” and several student-led performances.
The Mexican photographer Alejandro Arteaga will present a collection of his work, titled "Estampas Metropolitanas/Metropolitan Scenes," and earlier in the week improvisational comedy troupe, Upright Citizens Brigade will give a performance.
On Sunday the festivities will come to a close with a performance by the DePauw University Choirs, but only after Jimmy Kimmel gives his Ubben Lecture on Saturday evening.