ROSS TWP. — Lake-Lehman elementary students demonstrated their steady hands as they painted their favorite Pokemon characters at a Canvas and Cookie event on Friday, Sept. 30.

The kid-friendly twist on the adult concept of art-and-wine style events was designed to help compensate funding for the elementary school’s art programs, said Selena Mazzella, an art teacher for Ross and Lake-Noxen elementary schools.

“Art supplies are very expensive,” Mazzella said. “One tube of paint can cost $10.”

School districts are operating on tight budgets and often art programs are the first to be cut due to funding restraints, she said.

“Some districts such as Wilkes-Barre and Northwest areas have lost their art programs,” she said.

Lake-Lehman School District does budget funds for the art program, Mazzella said.

But to afford the more expensive art supplies, Mazzella holds Canvas and Cookie events monthly at Ross Elementary School in Sweet Valley.

Proceeds raised from the $15 per child registration fee are split between the art programs at Ross and Lake-Noxen elementary schools, and some funds are set aside to offset costs for the next event, Mazzella said.

“I’ll use the proceeds to purchase items like clay for the classrooms,” she said.

Mazzella borrowed the Canvas and Cookies idea from the Lake-Lehman Junior/Senior High School.

The high school started holding the event quarterly about two years ago, said Jenna Casaldi, an art teacher at the Lake-Lehman Junior/Senior High School.

“The event really took off at the elementary schools,” Casaldi said.

Casaldi believes the fundraiser is popular with younger students is because painting on canvas is a novelty for the children.

“High school students paint on canvas frequently,” she said.

On Friday night, 31 children ranging from third to sixth grade from both Ross and Lake-Noxen elementary schools filed into the Ross Elementary cafeteria.

Students were directed to pick out a smock and a Pokemon character that was drawn on canvas.

They choose between six different Pokemon characters that included Cubone, Charmander, Pikachu, Jigglypuff, Squirtle and Vulpix.

Jeremy Hospodar, a fifth grader at Ross Elementary, dipped a small paint brush in bright yellow paint and carefully applied it to the body of Pikachu.

Hospodar said he attended every Canvas and Cookie event since it began nearly two years ago.

“I think this will be my favorite one (project),” Hospodar said.

Ross Elementary sixth-grader Sierra Vogan was a first-time participant.

She said she heard about the event through friends and “really wanted to paint Squirtle.”

Genie Gorgam, the mother of Arianna Gorgam, a Lake-Noxen Elementary School third-grader, was pleased with the program.

“It (Canvas and Cookies) is really nice,” Gorgam said. “It will boost their (the children’s) confidence.”

Lake-Noxen third-grader Nora Zekas’ mother, Barb Zekas said the price was fair for a Friday night activity with a snack.

Fourth-grade student, Taft Truska, 9, paints flames on Charmander’s tail during a Canvas and Cookies event at Ross Elementary School in Sweet Valley.
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_cookies2_faa.jpg.optimal.jpgFourth-grade student, Taft Truska, 9, paints flames on Charmander’s tail during a Canvas and Cookies event at Ross Elementary School in Sweet Valley. Fred Adams | For Dallas Post

Ross Elementary fifth grade student Jeremy Hospodar, 10, works on mastering a steady hand to keep the yellow acrylic paint inside the lines to giving Pikachu a bright glow during a Canvas and Cookies event at the elementary school on Sept. 30.
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_cookies1_faa.jpg.optimal.jpgRoss Elementary fifth grade student Jeremy Hospodar, 10, works on mastering a steady hand to keep the yellow acrylic paint inside the lines to giving Pikachu a bright glow during a Canvas and Cookies event at the elementary school on Sept. 30. Fred Adams | For Dallas Post

Thirty-one elementary students, ranging from third to sixth grades participated in the first Canvas and Cookies event for the school year at Ross Elementary School. Students could choose from six different Pokemon characters to paint.
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_cookies3_faa.jpg.optimal.jpgThirty-one elementary students, ranging from third to sixth grades participated in the first Canvas and Cookies event for the school year at Ross Elementary School. Students could choose from six different Pokemon characters to paint. Fred Adams | For Dallas Post

Deep in concentration, nine-year-old Robert Ragula, focuses on the art skills needed to paint a Pokemon character on canvas during a fundraising event benefiting the art programs at Ross and Lake-Noxen Elementary schools.
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_cookies4_faa.jpg.optimal.jpgDeep in concentration, nine-year-old Robert Ragula, focuses on the art skills needed to paint a Pokemon character on canvas during a fundraising event benefiting the art programs at Ross and Lake-Noxen Elementary schools. Fred Adams | For Dallas Post

Ross and Lake-Noxen Elementary art teacher Selena Mazzella organizes and holds a monthly Canvas and Cookie event at Ross Elementary School in Sweet Valley. Funding raised through the event helps her to purchase more expense art supplies such as clay.
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_cookies5_faa.jpg.optimal.jpgRoss and Lake-Noxen Elementary art teacher Selena Mazzella organizes and holds a monthly Canvas and Cookie event at Ross Elementary School in Sweet Valley. Funding raised through the event helps her to purchase more expense art supplies such as clay. Fred Adams | For Dallas Post

Children attending a Canvas and Cookie event on Sept. 30, learned how to mix acrylic paints to obtain the right hue to paint their Pokemon character.
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_cookies6_faa.jpg.optimal.jpgChildren attending a Canvas and Cookie event on Sept. 30, learned how to mix acrylic paints to obtain the right hue to paint their Pokemon character. Fred Adams | For Dallas Post
Lake-Lehman schools hold monthly Canvas and Cookie events

By Eileen Godin

egodin@timesleader.com

Reach Eileen Godin at 570-991-6387 or on Twitter @TLNews.