The Hopkins County art program started in the fall of 2024. Photo courtesy of Tonia Leal
(MADISONVILLE, KY) – Browning Springs Middle School and Madisonville North Hopkins High School in Hopkins County are embracing creativity through a free art program for students.
Tonia Leal, an educator at Madisonville North Hopkins High School, previously worked at a nonprofit organization where she coordinated and taught art to at-risk youth. Leal was approached by community leaders to start a similar initiative in Hopkins County after they received funding from the Kentucky Community Schools Initiative, which aims to build relationships between schools and families.
The art program launched in the fall of 2024.
Students from both schools meet weekly at the historic Hopkins County Courthouse to collaborate and create art.
The program offers a creative outlet for middle and high school students and aims to foster acceptance and allow participants to express themselves artistically in various ways.
Leal said the program serves as a safe space for many students because it allows them to feel comfortable being themselves and helps build their confidence.
“I’m a firm believer that everybody can be an artist if they have the know-how and the practice,” Leal said. “Everybody’s art is different, it’s unique, just like all of us.”
Holly Flowers, a 7th-grade teacher at Browning Springs, got involved because she was drawn to the initiative’s focus on student creativity.
“Art is love and we want them to be accepting of each other and of all the ways they like to express themselves artistically,” Flowers said.
Since many students lack opportunities to engage in art during the school day, the program fills that gap, providing a space for artistic students to explore their creativity.
“Every session students are welcomed to create anything they want to create,” Leal said. “We have tons of supplies, they can work independently on something they want to work on.”
Students have worked on projects like printmaking, sidewalk chalk art and clay sculptures.
Flowers highlighted a March project where a local artist specializing in recycled art led a session. Students created sculptures from recycled materials, and some high school students used their work in art portfolios.
Leal said the opportunity to work with professional artists is valuable for students and allows them to build pieces they can use in the future.
“Just gives them more opportunities that they’re not always getting in the art classroom,” she said.
Leal’s favorite part of the program is witnessing students’ progression and excitement about their work.
“Where they’re at, what they’re doing, what they’ve created and how far they’ve come in that short amount of time, it’s just that really seeing them happy and excited,” Leal said.
Kristian Bernal, a 6th grader at Browning Springs, said she had been searching for a program like this.
“I’ve been looking for an art thing to do because I feel like I don’t get to do art a lot, said Bernal. “I do have art supplies at home but it’s just not the same without learning stuff.”
Bernal said clay sculpting has been her favorite activity, as it helped her step outside her comfort zone of only drawing and gave her a new way to express herself.
Jayce Henricy, a sophomore at Madisonville North Hopkins High School, had a similar experience.
“I saw an opportunity to mainly put myself out there and improve my artistic skill,” he said.
Henricy said he appreciates the welcoming environment of the program.
“I enjoy being able to have a conversation where I can relax and there’s nothing going wrong. I can be understood comfortably.”
Leal said the program uses anonymous surveys after each session to assess students mental health and gather feedback on how to improve.
Students have shared in the surveys that being in the program has boosted their mental health and, being surrounded by peers with similar interests, has given them a sense of belonging.
“I think a huge aspect is that they gathered with folks that are like-minded, like-minded individuals that enjoy the same types of things,” said Flowers. “We hear them singing with each other during the art club and just really have a great time. They really seem to fit in well with one another.”
Leal hopes students leave the program each session understanding the value of their interests.
“Art is really about kindness; that’s one of the rules in my class,” Leal said. “Kindness and compassion are just as big of a lesson as art.”
Educators have observed positive outcomes from the program, including increased student motivation, school attendance, engagement and improved relationships with teachers.
Leal said the community has shown strong support for the initiative.
She expressed that knowing that “our community values our kids so much and wants to see them be redirected and be successful,” shows the worth of the program.
In addition, the program has also partnered with the Hopkins County YMCA so each session students receive dinner before they go home.
Leal said that it is “really cool to see,” how the program and the community come together to help shine light on the arts.
Looking ahead, program leaders hope to expand sessions to twice a week and to incorporate more creative elements such as visual arts and music.
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