A group of kids from the local 4-H mentoring program may be well on their way to becoming Tooele’s next resident artists thanks to a $2,500 grant from the Tooele City Arts Council and assistance from Tooele City Hall.

For the first time since the club was organized, the mentoring program took part in two clinics last year, one for digital photography and another for drawing with oil crayons.

Each of the seven children involved in the mentoring program was invited to have their favorite pieces framed and displayed publicly at Tooele City Hall, where a total of 14 paintings and photographs will remain through the end of the week.

“They learned so much, and I think they did a great job,” said Rainey Baker local 4-H coordinator .

Baker said she felt those students who were unable to take art classes at their respective schools particularly enjoyed the experience.

“A lot of them aren’t in junior high or high school yet and can’t take classes that specific,” she said, explaining that the kids involved range from 9 to 14 years old.

The group was appreciative of the city’s help in making the clinic possible.

“We think the city is just awesome for doing this,” Baker said. “We really wanted to put it in a public place.”

Because January is national mentoring month, Baker was especially excited about spreading word of their program, and other mentoring operations, through their public art display.

The children involved in such organizations have the opportunity to meet weekly with an adult mentor and work on homework, play games, or just talk through life’s problems.

Though the display is open to the public all week, the 4-H kids will be holding an open house on Thursday from 7-8 p.m., at which time the young artists will be present to answer questions about their work.