CHEBOYGAN — Creation Station of downtown Cheboygan is bringing back its Art in the Park activities this summer, giving kids in the community a chance to create one-of-a-kind pieces of art.
The first of these artistic opportunities was July 14, where children were able to try their hand at bubble painting.
"All events will run from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.," said Dani Cunningham, owner of Creation Station. "They are free to participate, just walk up and create."
During the bubble painting activity, children were able to choose a sea creature they wanted to paint on a piece of paper. When it was dry, they took bubbles mixed with paint, blew bubbles into that mixture and let it overflow onto their paper.
Cunningham said these Art in the Park events are sponsored by the Friends of Ottawa Park, the group responsible for keeping artwork in the park.
"This is the same style of event we host every summer," said Cunningham. "Kids can walk up and make the project we have scheduled for that day. We always theme the projects to go along with the theme of the installation. Sea Life is this summer's theme."
All of the artwork currently displayed on the large panels in the park are depictions of what the artists believed they would see if they were exploring the depths of the sea, so Creation Station and the Friends of Ottawa Park carried that theme over into their events.
The Art in the Park summer workshops are open to any child around the Cheboygan community, whether they live in Cheboygan or are just visiting. The goal of the event is to give kids the opportunities to be creative while they aren't in school during the summer.
A tent is set up in the art park where all of the creating takes place. The children do not have to be at the event right as it starts to participate, and they also do not have to stay the whole time, unless they want to.
All supplies for these projects are provided by Creation Station and the Friends of Ottawa Park.
The next Art in the Park event will be Saturday, July 30. The project for this day is adventure telescopes.
"Kids can decorate their own retractable cardboard telescopes using paint sticks, washi tape, stickers and more," said Cunningham.
On Thursday, Aug. 18, the project for the final Art in the Park workshop will be seashell picture frames. During this event, children will be able to use seashells, paint and other art accessories to decorate a wooden picture frame.
"Great for displaying summer memories," said Cunningham.
Contact Reporter Kortny Hahn at khahn1@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @khahnCDT.