For the last 20 years, art classes held at the Whitestone cooperative LeHavre on the Water have been giving some of its younger residents a chance to grow as artists.
The classes are held by LeHavre resident Liz Borst, a former display director at Macy’s in Harold Square. After having her first child, she wanted to work closer to home. About 20 years ago, she presented her art curriculum to the Board of Directors at LeHavre to start holding classes in the clubhouse.
“I’ve been doing it ever since,” she said.
Students between the ages of six and 13 are able to attend the classes. During the summer classes, Borst works with about six children. Between eight and 10 are in the class that runs through the school year.
“It’s really like a one-room school house,” she said. “I really get to cater to their needs more.”
Borst explained that the students work in all materials and are given some “must do” projects, but there are also times when they get to choose which project they’d like to complete. Each year, the students work towards creating their own portfolio.
There have also been some students who have gone on to specialized art schools, and Borst has helped them with that process.
Borst sets the bar high for her students, but she said they are able to reach it, and that she has had six year olds complete advanced projects.
“I have high expectations and they know that,” Borst said.
Delilah Dobis, 9, has been taking the LeHavre art classes with Borst for about three years. She said that she likes that she can pick any kind of art work she likes to do and that one of her favorite pieces has been of a sunset with a lighthouse in front.
Dobis said that one of the most important things she has learned in the art classes is “that you can just be yourself with your art.”
Sophie Puig, 8, has also been taking the classes for a few years. At the time she joined, she had friends who were students and thought it sounded fun. She said her favorite part about the classes is getting to pick out different projects to work on.
“I’ve learned a lot so far,” Puig said.
Another student, 6-year-old Kiera Becker, just started taking the class this summer, since she liked to draw at home and in school. In the LeHavre classes, she said she likes to color and draw. Becker said that one thing she still wants to learn in the classes is how to draw a butterfly.
Because she liked to do art projects at home, 7-year-old Amelia Giova’s mother asked if she’d like to take the classes at LeHavre. She said yes, and joined the classes about a year ago. So far, her favorite project has been creating a walk cycle animation.
“We get to paint and do fun stuff,” Giova said.
Borst said that the children gain skills they can carry over into other activities, such as focus. She also said the classes help build their self-esteem.
“I just enjoy seeing them progress and grow as artists,” Borst said.
