McIntyre, Osen Prepare For Instruction At Bigger Sky Kids

Volunteers and attendees at Bigger Sky Kids, an after- school, arts-based program based in Wolf Point, have been anxious to continue sessions this fall. Arts educator Cathryn McIntyre and program coordinator Otto Osen recently began a makeover at the group’s base of operations at First Lutheran Church, including efforts to document student work in preparation for resumed instruction.

“Over the past month, Otto and I have given the Bigger Sky Kids art classroom in Wolf Point a makeover and taken photos of the students art pieces from last year,” said McIntyre. “We are finally getting ready to resume painting classes after Thanksgiving. It’s quite a bit later than hoped, as we have all been cautious with COVID-19. BSK has been patient and respectful of my busy schedule. Better late than never, as they say. I can’t wait to see the kids who made these art pieces and to talk about all that’s changed and what they have made & what they want to make once we get together again.”

BSK’s Barbara Olson told the Northern Plains Independent that the ongoing pandemic has kept the program from resuming. Olson said that many BSK volunteers are in the at-risk age group and the program directors understand that children may unknowingly transmit the virus to adults.

Said Olson, “When the staff and directors deem it safe, BSK activities will resume at the First Lutheran Church education center. Winona Runsabove is still on tap to teach Native American dance and McIntyre is excited to continue her painting classes. There will not be cooking classes this year as the volunteer cooks are all in the highrisk age group and it is nearly impossible to social distance while helping children cook and bake.”

BSK is a is a 501(c)3 nonprofit for after-school arts education incorporated in 2017 in the state of Montana and launched in 2018. They are located at 415 Johnson Street in Wolf Point. Visit biggerskykids. org for more information.