HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Area children in kindergarten through the fifth grade will soon have the opportunity to express their artistic talents in a program offered at Johnson Memorial United Methodist Church.

The Summit Worship Arts Academy provides unique classes in which children develop their interests in a variety of activities related to friendship, faith and worship.

“Our objective is to provide an environment that nurtures the children’s understanding of faith, through their own creative expressions in a variety of arts activities,” said academy director Natalie Wray.

Children are offered vocal and instrumental music, dance, visual art and technology, writing, drama and puppetry, baking and food preparation, and acolyte training.

“We here at Johnson Memorial are eager to offer this opportunity to children in the community,” Wray said. “Through creative arts, the kids are able to develop confidence and self-respect as they take part in both individual and team activities. We simply want to offer the children opportunities to explore their own interest in the arts as they relate to faith and worship “

The academy is for children of all church affiliations and does not promote a specific denomination.

Wray received her degree in music education from Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania, where her primary instrument was violin. She has taught high school orchestra and guitar, middle school choir, orchestra and drama, and has also taught five years at the elementary level, teaching music and reading.

The academy volunteers are church and community members, as well as students from Marshall University.

“All are ready and qualified to share their expertise,” Wray said.

The Summit Worship Arts Academy begins Sunday at Johnson Memorial, located at the corner of Tenth Street and Fifth Avenue in Huntington Children will meet from 4 to 7 p.m. Sundays. A $25 non-refundable registration fee is required. Additional information is available by calling Wray at (304) 535-8116, extension 11. Scholarships and sibling discounts are possible.