Art supply drive at Freeman pavilion continues thru Aug. 31

As the new school year approaches, Freeman Arts Pavilion is hosting an art supply drive to ensure area students have the tools they need to be inspired and creative. As part of the mission of advancing arts access for all, the drive will benefit local elementary schools’ art departments.

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, said Patti Grimes, foundation executive director.

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

Continuing Friday, Aug. 23, Tuesday, Aug. 27, and Thursday to Saturday, Aug. 29 to 31, donors can drop off supplies beginning at 4 p.m. in the designated spot near the pavilion box office at 31806 Lake View Drive, Selbyville.

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

Items being 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 are unable to get to the venue to drop off supplies may purchase items from the Joshua M. Freeman Foundation Amazon Wish List at freemanarts.org/ArtsDrive.

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

To further the impact, the foundation will match all donations raised.