Summerlin kids create their own masterpieces

     About 600 third-graders from five Summerlin schools are creating their personal masterpieces on quarry tiles for installation at the master-planned community's largest shopping center, The Trails Village Center.
      The art program, funded and organized by the Summerlin Children's Forum, has a dual purpose, according to executive board member Leslie Parraguirre, who is coordinating the program with the schools.
      "First and foremost, this is a fun project for the kids to use their creativity in coming up with a painting that fits the overall theme," Parraguirre said. "It will be very gratifying for a young child to see his or her work on display in a public place for all to enjoy."
      Secondly, the program will add color and community interest at the shopping center, according to Parraguirre. The tiles, scheduled to be installed along sidewalks and walls at the center this summer, will depict plants and animals indigenous to Southern Nevada.
      "The Howard Hughes Corp. has always been committed to public art," Randy Ecklund, the forum's executive director, said. "This program is taking that commitment to a different level by involving the children who live or go to school in the community. It has been very well-received by the ... respective schools, and the kids are excited to see their tiles installed."
      Participating schools include Lummis, Bonner and Bryan elementary schools, as well as The Meadows School and the Hebrew Academy. Michelle Fowler, art specialist at Lummis, has provided the creative direction for the project.
      The forum provides scholarships; recognizes outstanding students, teachers and parent volunteers; funds enhancement programs; and has been instrumental in helping to establish technology centers at Summerlin schools.
      Houses, townhomes and condominiums are priced from $90,000 to more than $700,000 at the community. One-quarter acre to one-third acre custom lots are priced from $90,000 to $300,000, and predesigned custom homes range from $500,000 to more than $1 million.
      Summerlin is home to two Tournament Players Club golf courses plus six other courses, 10 major parks, more than 40 neighborhood parks and more than 40 completed miles of the trail system. Also featured are shopping centers, houses of worship, medical centers, business parks and more than 250 model homes.
      To visit, take Summerlin Parkway to Town Center Drive and turn north, then turn east on Hillwood Drive. Or, take Sahara Avenue to Blue Willow Lane, west of Hualapai Way, and turn south.
      Both sales centers are open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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