WEST BOUNTIFUL — There’s something about Davis County that just seems to bring out the creative spark in people.

In a move unheard of among its other gallery locations, West Bountiful’s Repartee Art Gallery is following the example of other Davis County galleries and rolling out an art education program for the community. Though still in its early stages, the program includes opportunities for both children and adults to experience the wonder of creation firsthand.

“I keep reading a number of articles about the budget cuts in schools, and we spent the summer working with local artists during our gallery strolls,” said Janet Hall, the gallery manager at the West Bountiful location. “I asked them what I could do to help art in the community.”

One of the newest programs, fresh after the gallery’s recent move to a new location at 255 N. 500 W. (next to Five Guys), is Art-Toberfest, which features free weekly art competitions every Saturday morning Oct. 10-31 for kids ages 7-18. The artists will be divided into age categories, and winners will be chosen each week to receive prizes donated by local businesses and be eligible for the final stage of the competition.

“The winners will all go on display at the gallery the first week in November, and everyone who comes by will get the chance to vote for a People’s Choice Award,” said Hall. “Once that’s chosen, Discount Print and Copy will make a giclee of the winning art that we’ll professionally frame.”

There are also other art classes available for both children and adults, including an adult day camp where people can go out and spend the day painting with a professional artist. The upcoming camp with Liz Lemon Swindle is already full, and the recent one with artist Diane Turner went very well.

“People came back and said it was the best day of their lives,” said Hill. “It’s an art adventure.”

Alerts about the adult day camps and other activities are available through the gallery’s mailing list. To get on the list or to get more information about a specific upcoming event, stop by the gallery or call 801-296-0718.