POULSBO — A void of organized art classes at the elementary school level — among other program cuts that have increasingly stripped education to its necessities — prompted Phyllis Oliver to initiate the North Kitsap School District’s art docent program almost a quarter century ago.

It has been bringing volunteers — who deliver art history lessons once-a-month — to the NKSD elementary schools ever since. The program has come a long way in nearly 25 years, with more than 75 local businesses now supporting the cause and displaying student art work in their foyers, thanks in large part to the former district coordinator Carrie Berger.

But Berger has taken increasingly ill of late, and, after five years as district coordinator, was unable to take the lead this year.

“This is so hard for me because I’ve done it for so many years. I just want to cry,” Berger said.

In order for the district to keep its art-friendly support system in place, a new district coordinator is needed to bring in volunteers while aligning the district-wide program.

“In some schools they don’t have things like music or P.E. or sports or art — those are all right brain functions — so (students) are losing out if they don’t get that. Part of their brain development is missing,” Berger said. “It’s a huge part of education, and the kids love it.”

“One of the big holes has been that Carrie (Berger) is not there to recruit (volunteers),” said NKSD director of curriculum and assessment Wally Lis of volunteer and corporate support. “We’re all pitching in and helping out until we can find someone to fill in.”

Volunteers for the art docent program are typically the heroes of elementary school classrooms, Berger said. “For the art docent, they walk in the room and the kids cheer,” she said.

Volunteers are needed for a minimum of one day per month for 45 minutes to an hour. The most important part of the program, and only required lesson of the curriculum, is that the docent will have to present a famous or historical art print, that will be prepared by district coordinators.

The information about the prints will be on the back of the photo so volunteers are not required to have a vast knowledge of art.

Monthly training sessions are provided to teach volunteers all they need to know for their upcoming lessons.

“We work around the volunteer completely. We go out of our way to get the information so its easy, right there at the school,” Berger said. “We have all walks of life come in, all kinds of people that just want to help out at the school.”

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer or inquiring about the district coordinator position can call the NKSD at (360) 779-8721 or visit www.nksd.wednet.edu and click on “volunteer information.”