me arts ed

Karen Hartnagle works hard for arts programs

Karen Hartnagle

Today’s Bangor Daily News has an article about the program beginning on January 12th called Arts ‘n Kids. It is a six-week after school program in musical theater for children, ages 8-11. The program is sponsored by Community Health and Counseling Services (CHCS) and Maine Discovery Museum of Bangor.

The article also includes information about the Family Arts Nights being offered. The paretn or caretaker and the child created art together which gives them a chance to spend quality time together. You can read the entire article by clicking here.

These programs are examples of Karen Hartnagle’s work. Karen works tirelessly bringing arts education opportunities to children. Karen is a psychologist who works for CHCS and her official title is Director of Prevention – ACHEVE (Arts Can Help Everyone Excel) Programs. I’d love to see that above the entrance to every arts classroom in the state of Maine.

One of Karen’s roles is facilitating a dance program in several elementary schools in the Bangor area. I had the opportunity to visit George B. Weatherbee School in Hampden and watched dancer Stevie Dunham work with third graders in physical education teacher, Andy Plaisted’s classroom. Stevie is a high energy young woman who has been trained by the National Dance Institute along with Karen’s other dance instructors. It was magic to see her in action. She didn’t stop during the entire class. I was so impressed by her energy but mostly at how engaged every student was!

The key in Karen’s success is the time she gladly spends on every detail of the planning and implementation for each school site. Karen is a GENUINE CHAMPION for ARTS EDUCATION! If you’d like to learn more please contact Karen at hartdance@aol.com