Plenty of arts opportunities for kids this summer

If you've got crafty kids, let them flex their creative muscles at Allied Arts' mobile arts-and-crafts offerings this summer.

The traveling ArtsVan ventures throughout the Yakima Valley with its Arts in the Parks program, which provides free drop-in arts activities beginning Monday.

This summer's projects will explore "Great Moments in Art" -- from Monet-inspired coffee filter waterlilies to Picasso-esque cubist collage faces. The activities are recommended for ages 5-12.

Here's where you can catch the bus through July 31:

* Mondays -- 10 a.m. to noon in Franklin Park, and 1-3 p.m. in Miller Park.

* Tuesdays -- 10 a.m. to noon in Randall Park, and 1-3 p.m. at the Southeast Yakima Community Center.

* Wednesdays -- 10 a.m. to noon in Kissel Park, and 1-3 p.m. in West Valley Park.

* Thursdays -- 10 a.m. to noon in MLK Park, and 1-3 p.m. in Milroy Park.

* Fridays -- 10 a.m. to noon at the Buena Nueva Housing community center in Buena, and 1-3 p.m. at the Wapato Library.

The ArtsVan will also roll into these locations:

* The Yakima Farmers Market from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the third Sunday of each month through October.

* The Chalet Place shopping center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. the second Saturday of each month through September.

* Railroad Park in Toppenish from 10 a.m. to noon July 10.

* Safe Haven in Toppenish from 10 a.m. to noon July 17, July 31 and Aug. 14.

* Olney Park in Toppenish from 10 a.m. to noon July 24.

* Lincoln Park in Toppenish from 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 7.

Also, the free ArtsVan Family Nights program runs from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays in Tieton's town square; and from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays in Yakima's Franklin Park (that's the same time as the Summer Sunset Concert Series). There's a different art project each week that highlight a certain part of the world or culture.

The ArtsVan programs are presented by Allied Arts of Yakima Valley. For more information, call 509-966-0930 or visit www.alliedartsyakima.org.

-- Kim Nowacki