Kate Ericsson | Special to SWoCo

Local artist and teacher Katherine Devine is offering classes at her home studio in the Oak Grove area.

What are we doing with the kids this summer?

It's a question parents face as they plan summer activities and child care. Perhaps your children will be on a swim team, participating in the library's reading program or attending a local camp.

If you would like to nurture their imaginations as well as just keep them busy, local artist and teacher Katherine Devine is offering classes at her home studio in the Oak Grove area.

"My big goal when working with children is to get it through to them that everything they see around them in this world is the result of someone's imagination. I want to give them a chance to create rather than consume," Devine said.

Devine has been active in the art community since she moved to Roanoke 22 years ago.

She received her undergraduate degree in art from East Carolina University and her master's degree from Hollins University in 1998 while she was raising her children.

Over the years she has offered workshops with organizations like the Art Museum of Western Virginia, Hollins University Women's Center and area church groups.

She is sought after for her innovative face painting skills; whether with a butterfly flitting across a cheek or a sparkling jewel in a forehead, she delights young children at local events and parties.

During the school year Devine teaches a gifted art class at Oak Grove Elementary, and she wants to continue that work with students this summer.

"I want to give all children, not just those identified by the public school system as gifted, a chance to create and study art."

Believing that all humans have something they want to express, Katherine offers a variety of classes and media in which to work.

Her classes have been student-driven; she offers what her own children and students tell her they want to do.

She is scheduling small classes this summer now that she is back teaching in her own studio -- an airy, colorful space with her works in progress on the walls and sculptures in the back yard.

"When I was teaching downtown I was really rushed running back and forth. Now my life, my work and my art are seamless."

She also offers private art classes or group workshops based on interest.

Linda Gustad, a participant in a small workshop last summer, enjoyed the intimate experience.

"My daughters, Anna [11] and Laura [9], and I did a mother-daughter collage workshop with Katherine and a few friends," she said.

"In a couple of hours, she got the girls excited about classical art works and at the same time, helped them feel free to be themselves through their art.

"She used all the senses to open up our creativity -- the smell of the paint, a sweet watermelon snack, the textures of collage pieces from feathers to old sheet music, the sound of laughter and stories.

"You are at home the minute you walk into her studio or talk to her, and you walk away inspired to let your creativity out more often," Gustad said.

Kate Ericsson is a former classroom teacher and reading specialist who currently tutors, writes, runs and tries to keep up with her kids.