Freeman Arts Pavilion holds art supply drive

SELBYVILLE — As the new school year approaches, Freeman Arts Pavilion wants to ensure area students have the tools they need to be inspired and create.

Freeman Arts, a program of the Joshua M. Freeman Foundation, will hold an art supply drive to benefit local elementary schools’ art departments as part of its mission of advancing arts access for all.

Budgets for many teachers can be so low, they will often cover the expenses of filling their classrooms with supplies out of their own pocket, according to Patti Grimes, executive director of the foundation.

“Arts education is vital in nurturing creativity and critical thinking,” she said in a press release. “Supporting our educators means investing in the future of their students.”

Through Aug. 31, interested participants can drop off supplies at the venue at 31806 Lake View Drive, Selbyville — where a drop-box will be near the main entrance.

Community members can drop off the supplies on performance days beginning at 4 p.m. The venue will be open Wednesday through Friday; Aug. 27; and Aug. 29-Aug. 31.

Donations will also be collected at the Carl M. Freeman Foundation Office Building at 31255 Americana Parkway, Selbyville, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

To further the impact, the Carl M. Freeman Foundation will match all donations raised.

“We want all children in the classrooms to have access to expressing their creativity and unlocking their potential,” said Michelle Freeman, chairwoman of the Carl M. Freeman Foundation. “This drive is more than just markers and paint supplies.”

Items that will be collected are glue bottles and sticks, scissors, oil pastels, Sharpies (black or color), Crayola Model Magic, Ziploc sandwich bags, sponges, aluminum foil, watercolor paints, plaster cloth strips, beads and white drawing or painting paper.

Residents or visitors who would like to participate but cannot get to the venue to drop off supplies may purchase items from the Joshua M. Freeman Foundation Amazon Wish List, which can be found at freemanarts.org/ArtsDrive .