Local Library Encourages Creativity Through Art

“Every child is an artist.”

It is Donna Matter’s heartfelt belief that all children contain untapped creativity and that it is her purpose to provide them with an outlet.

The Kettle Falls Children’s Art Program, located at the Kettle Falls Library, was launched 10 years ago by Donna Matter and her husband, George Matter. Children can come in after school on Tuesdays – no enrollment necessary – where they have a snack, and can jump right into creating art.

“We have different tables set up that the children can choose from,” said Matter. “For example, they can go to Recycling Art, Painting, or Build / Create Your Own Design. Sometimes we’ll have beads or self-drying clay. One day, I hope to have art classes with the option to fire your own clay.”

The art classes are run entirely by volunteers. “Right now, all the volunteers are seniors, except for two girls who are in high school now that used to come to the class. I like to see things come full circle.

“Our rural community is filled with talented kids,” she said. “It’s about what they want to do. I don’t do cookie-cutter art. I want to help them to be creative and do what they want to do.”

Matter said she hosts anywhere between 30 and 60 young artists in her class. “It’s organized chaos. During the fall, we get a lot more people from the community, and the class grows. It can get loud, but it’s always safe.”

She added, “There are only three rules that the young artists have to follow: Be safe. Be creative. And have fun.”

According to Matter, the Kettle Falls Children’s Art Program is funded entirely through monetary donations and supplies, with the remaining costs picked up by herself and George.

“We get lots of donations,” Matter said. “Some of it we get to store at the library, but most of it I keep at home. My entire spare bedroom is filled with art supplies.” 

Matter said she moved to Kettle Falls in 2009 after retiring from a teaching career. She got her inspiration to start the art program from the library itself. “The library wanted me to make a quilt with some of the kids to raise money for art for kids. The program took off from there. I met George, and he helped. He’s been my friend and with the program the entire time. We got married three years ago. George helps a lot with the art program, and he oversees the recycling art.

“The library saved my life. I love the library.

“The art program is more than just about art. It’s about building self-esteem and positive affirmation. We come home happy but tired.”

The Kettle Falls Library provides staff supervision during the class sessions. “The library keeps track of the kids who attend, and this helps with funding for books for the library,” Matter said.

Christine Evans, a librarian with the Kettle Falls Library, has helped Matter with the art program for the entire three-and-a-half years she has worked there.

“It is one of our most popular programs in the district,” Evans said. “We’ve gotten a huge response. Librarians from all over Washington state say they’ve heard about the program and come to our library here in Kettle Falls to visit. It really is impressive. We have more participation in this program at our little library than many large libraries see on the coast.”

Evans said she helps with setting up the art tables and with guiding the children as needed. One of the tables is referred to as the Recycling Table, because people drop off random items for the kids to use in their projects.

“They come up with the most amazing things out of the random items that people drop off,” Evans said. “They come up with dollhouses, outfits, and usable disc throwers. The level of creativity these kids have is amazing. Donna pours encouragement into all of these kids. She and her program foster such a good attitude of appreciation for others.”

Donna said the Kettle Falls Children’s Art Program can always use volunteers to help out. The art program meets at the Kettle Falls Library located at 615 Meyers Street, every Tuesday from 3-4 p.m., September through April. For more information, contact the library at 509-738-6817.