Youth Program Update

Sitka Youth Program instructors and students will start the New Year with vivid colors and conversations inspired by the artwork of Ashland-based artist Betty LaDuke.

Emerging from pandemic isolation in 2021, LaDuke found solace and renewed artistic inspiration while creating painted, three-dimensional, wooden turtles incorporating personal and playful imagery and thematic elements.

LaDuke shared in a recent interview that creating each turtle allows her time and space to reflect upon and process life’s questions. Once finished, each turtle receives a name and joins her collection, a bale that is now nearly 30 turtles strong.

Youth Program participants will create their own turtle conversations, exploring issues that matter to them on wood panels, learning about pattern and color theory in the process.