Newton Citizen

CONYERS - East metro is about to get an art lesson and some senior citizens will get a Valentine's Day gift in the process.

Thanks to a $1,800 grant from the Grassroots Arts Program awarded to Peachtree Academy, the school and other area sponsors are organizing several community art events over the next several months.

"The grant will support arts in our community," said Kendra Hensley, an art teacher at Peachtree Academy who is helping organize the grant. "The programs will be community outreach that will involve as much of the population as possible."

To get this art focus started in the county, the community is invited to Adopt-A-Valentine, scheduled from 10 a.m. until noon Saturday in the Renaissance Room at the Remington House retirement center, which is located at 1504 Renaissance Drive, off Sigman Road in Conyers.

Students from Peachtree Academy and other students in Rockdale County will hand out homemade Valentine's cards to the residents, as well as present them with a painting that the school's art club helped create. Students and families in Conyers and surrounding communities also are invited to come out to bring their own Valentine's gifts or simply visit with the residents.

"It's great for (the students) to be aware of everybody's circumstances," Hensley said, adding that her students also sent Valentine's cards to other area retirement homes. "A lot of them don't have someone to be their Valentine anymore, so it helps them feel included and loved."

The Cat in the Hat also will make a special appearance to share stories with the crowd, and the students who are at the event will help call Bingo to the residents.

Hensley said she hopes this program will bridge the age gap in the community.

The grant also will help support the Olde Town Fine Arts festival, schedule for May 16, in conjunction with the Conyers Main Street program. The event will include student art and creative centers, live entertainment and art booths.

The Grassroots Arts Program is supported in part by the Georgia Council for the Arts through the Georgia General Assembly and administered by Arts Clayton, an organization in Clayton County that helps bring art awareness to surrounding communities.

Michelle Floyd can be reached at michelle.floyd@newtoncitizen.com.