Local children and their families expressed themselves through music, poetry and crafts with the help of DePauw University clubs and organizations at Art Attack on Sunday afternoon.
This year marks the 12th annual Arts Fest. Sarah McAdams, the coordinator of Art Attack and art publicity coordinator, said the event is a great way to kick off Arts Fest each year.
"It's one of the few events that DePauw offers to children," she said. "Arts Fest in general is a celebration of the arts and we invite the Greencastle and outside community to come in and celebrate the arts."
Art Attack relies heavily on the help of DePauw students for its success.
"The event would not take place without student organizations on campus, because that's what it's all about," McAdams said. "They volunteer their time and resources to provide these activities for the kids."
Approximately 14 different clubs and organizations on campus were participating in the event this year. Members of Phi Delta Theta fraternity helped kids craft colorful turkeys out of construction paper, while members of Alpha Phi sorority painted faces and assisted children in creating candy necklaces. Pi Beta Phi sorority members set up a cookie decorating station and the Poetry Club provided a station for children to write and illustrate poetry.
In addition to crafts, student clubs and organizations also exposed children to other forms of art, including music, theatre and radio broadcasting. The National Association for Musical Educators held a musical petting zoo for children to touch and play with different musical instruments ranging from the trombone to the flute. The Duzer Du chapter of Alpha Psi Omega provided children with a tour of Moore Theatre, and local singer and songwriter, Bobbie Lancaster, hosted a songwriting workshop where children pieced together a song about their experiences at Art Attack.
Beverly Hughes of Greencastle brings her son Addison to Art Attack every year.
"He really enjoys the arts," she said. "So anytime he has the chance to do anything musical or creative, or anything like that, he goes for it."
WGRE also offered children the opportunity to record a promotion that might be used by the radio station in future broadcasts. For senior Christine Webster, Art Attack is a great opportunity to expose young people to radio broadcasting.
"Radio is a dying art, but it's something that's really important and near and dear to a lot of DePauw kids' hearts," Webster said. "It's just another way to get our name out and get a little bit of our swag spread around the Greencastle area to promote listenership so they can come and tune in and hear their own voices on air."
Senior Heidi Meuth held similar views in regards to exposing children at a young age to musical instruments and the arts.
"I think early exposure at any level is important for students, especially young students," Meuth said. "It helps them see how cool instruments are . . . I think it's just a good way to get kids interested in music and get them started in music."
Regina Neudeck of Reelsville takes her four children to Art Attack every year.
"They took art out of the schools so that's why I bring them here," she said.
Her sixteen-year-old daughter, Cora Neudeck, likes to see her younger brothers and sisters enjoying art.
"They've got a lot of great music things and it's just a really great opportunity to be creative and everything, and I know they enjoy it a lot," Cora Neudeck said.
McAdams is pleased with what Art Attack has provided these children.
"It is a good opportunity for kids to see that there are opportunities out there for them that they may not have known or been exposed to."