Over 20 young creative artists, grades K-5, joined nine volunteers to participate in MIVAL Jr’s second winter art workshop at the Mercer Island Community and Event Center on Dec. 9.

Votive candle holders, foil ornaments and cards were made during the two-hour art workshop. The young artists enjoyed creating art for the holidays, and the volunteers were enthusiastic teachers and supporting participants of the event, according to a press release.

MIVAL Jr launched last year ago to promote and support art experiences for young artists in grades K-12, as the youth branch of the Mercer Island Visual Arts League (MIVAL). Funding for the 2017 MIVAL Jr events was supplied by a grant from the Mercer Island Community Fund and MIVAL membership.

Recently, Anne Hritzay has joined the MIVAL Jr team. She has worked within the Mercer Island school system, promoting art for young artists. Her expertise and experience will help MIVAL Jr continue to grow.

MIVAL Jr’s next event, a Sumi-e workshop for artists in grades 6 -12, will be in April 2018. Sumi-e art is a type of Asian art using special ink/paper.

See www.mival.org for more.

Winter workshop participants made votive candle holders, foil ornaments and cards. Photo courtesy of Raleigh Nowers