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Teachers, artists to open creative learning centre in Shelburne
Tuesday August 5 2008 By Richard Vivian, Staff Writer A collection of Shelburne teachers and artists are joining forces to help keep students closer to home. Their efforts will culminate next month, with the official opening of the Shelburne Creative Learning Centre.
“It’s really exciting,” says Marni Walsh, who is spearheading the initiative. “I know there had been attempts at doing something similar in the past ... and it just didn’t quite come together.
“I was a little nervous going into it, but we’ve had a ton of support and enthusiasm from artists and the community, I think, is excited about it coming.”
The centre will run out of Trinity United Church and offers a wide swath of topics, including music, crafts, cooking, drama, magic, dance, computer sciences and more.
“There’s going to be quite a bit of variety,” says participant Susan Verduin. “It’s mostly geared toward children, but there also are some adult programs as well.”
Classes will run for varying lengths and at a variety of times throughout the year.
Inspiration for the centre came from a concern about the dearth of learning opportunities within Shelburne and an abundance of artists interested in teaching.
“We’re trying to offer the classes at a very reasonable rate, for one thing, and another thing we’re emphasizing is simplicity,” says Verduin, explaining activities such as dance can traditionally become quite costly.
“As people who either had or have small children, we realize it’s nice to be able to offer your children things to do, but sometimes there can be a real money restraint there as well.”
Registration will be held Aug. 26 from 5 to 8 p.m. and Sept. 6 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — both at Trinity United Church on Owen Sound Street.
People can also contact the teachers to register.
A grand opening, complete with demonstrations and a ribbon-cutting ceremony, will be held Aug. 26, beginning at 4:30 p.m.
For more information about the Shelburne Creative Learning Centre, contact Susan Verduin at 519-925-3765 or by email at SCLC@ymail.com.

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