Creativity at College Heights Starts with Paper and Paint

How do kids to use their imagination and express creativity? For most, it's through coloring and painting.

Every year, attorney Kyle Williams and Larry Kosten host a New Year’s party where attendees must bring art supplies for College Heights Early Childhood Learning Center. Nearly 200 attended this year's soiree and Williams and Kosten recently delivered the goods.

“We delivered [supplies] into a classroom full of kids," said Williams. "When you see the excitement on a kid’s face, when they see a room full of crayons, it’s an amazing burst of creativity and excitement for something that’s as simple as a box of crayons.”

On what art supplies to bring, Williams is flexible.

“We don’t judge or ask people,” said Williams. "We just want to get [supplies] into the classrooms.”

It all began years ago with an idea to raise money for library books.

“We asked everybody to bring their favorite kids book from when they were growing up," Williams said.

So, for several years, they focused on building the College Heights library at the school on South McDonough Street in Decatur, as well as for the Frazier Center at Decatur High. 

Suzanne Kennedy, principal at College Heights, was the there as the coordinator when Williams and Kosten started collecting books. Before they know it, they had a library full of books. Once that happened, they made the switch.

“It has been incredible," Kennedy said. "Teachers were excited, they were able to use everything. It’s like a Christmas day after Christmas!”

Kennedy believes artistic expression is vital for kids developing in key areas.

“Those things build creativity, fine motor skills,” said Kennedy. "And build into their structural academic, social and physical development part of the day.”

To learn how you can support children and education throughout the year go the Decatur Education Foundation website.