By Cindy Schroeder
The Cincinnati Enquirer

COVINGTON - In Judy Sanders' ArtStop classes, no one worries about cluttered tables, paint-stained clothing or whether they can draw a straight line.

Instead, the youthful participants are encouraged to explore their creativity and see where it leads them.

IF YOU GO

What: Grand opening of the Eva G. Farris Education Center Where: The center is part of the Carnegie Visual Arts and Performing Center, 1028 Scott Blvd., Covington When: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Nov. 21, with a special program at 7 p.m. Admission: Suggested donation of $25 for the Eva G. Farris Endowment Features: Cocktails and appetizers with a Cuban touch. Music provided by Northern Kentucky University Information: (859) 491-2030 extension 10

"In a day when everything's so fast-paced, it's good to have a place where kids can express themselves,'' their pony-tailed instructor said. Never one to dole out criticism, Sanders, who also teaches art at Holy Family Catholic School and the Baker-Hunt Foundation, introduces her students to a variety of media and encourages each one to build on his or her artistic strengths.

"We all have our own ways of expressing ourselves, and that's what makes art so wonderful," she said.

Since 1990, the free art education program for Greater Cincinnati and at-risk children ages 5 to 15 has operated from a dark basement space at the Carnegie Visual & Performing Arts Center. That will change in two weeks when the Carnegie opens its new Eva G. Farris Education Center directly behind the arts center, said Mary Anne Wehrend, Carnegie's executive director.

Special guests at the Nov. 21 opening will be Covington businessman Oakley Farris and his wife, the Cuban-born Eva G. Farris, for whom the new center is named.

The Eva G. Farris Education Center will feature 2,100 square feet of studio classroom space filled with natural light, said Beverly Konicov, the Carnegie's education director. It has a carpeted reading loft, display walls, a hallway gallery for children's art, seating for up to 40 children and an outdoor patio.

The center will enable the Scripps Howard Foundation ArtStop program to move out of its cramped quarters and more than double the number of children served - both after school and in an eight-week summer program, Konicov said.

"I can't wait for the new center,'' said parent volunteer Chris Kemplin, 39. "This program is like a second chance for kids.''

Kemplin's older sons took part in ArtStop, and her daughter, Lisa, 11, an honor roll student at Covington's Thomas Edison Elementary, is in the program now. Mrs. Kemplin said ArtStop offers a valuable outlet for her artistic daughter, who is awaiting a kidney transplant and can't play outside.

A donor who remains anonymous and seven foundations provided funding for the center.

E-mail cschroeder@enquirer.com