I was invited to join two other artist friends, Deanna White and Cynthia Herron, to teach a children’s art class at the Salem Art Association. The class was the brainchild of Deanna, who writes:
Both my children still have fond memories of the many art classes they attended at the Bush Barn Annex so many years ago. I have been a Gallery Guide for 13 years and have seen the Gallery Guides support many art educational opportunities and so would like to revisit this tradition again.
Deanna put together a proposal, invited Cynthia and I to participate, and presented it to the Bush Barn Gallery Guides, who approved the proposal and funded the class. The class was limited to 15 students, grades 3-5, and it cost each student only $10 for an afternoon of art.
The day was divided into three segments:
Station 1: Book of Your Own with Deanna White
Station 2: Coloring Outside the Lines with Cynthia Herron
Station 3: Fantastical Creatures with Dayna Collins
For my station, we played with bendable muslin dolls and I set up a big table with fibers, jewels, feathers, boas, leather strips, buttons, ribbons, googly eyes, and lots of paint. Here’s my doll collection, which I brought for inspiration:
Some of the activity at my table during the three rotations (from clean and tidy to wildly and deliciously messy:
The kids had one hour at each station before rotating to the next table. Here’s the first group I had with their fabulous fantastical creations.
Overheard at my table during the afternoon:
I never knew it was going to be this fun.
I’m nuts for art.
I never get to paint!
It’s like we are scientists making our own creation.
No mom’s are here – we can paint all we want.
It was a great day for the kids and teachers (and for the several Gallery Guides who helped throughout the afternoon).
Of course, I couldn’t help myself. I made a doll to add to my collection. No name, but she’s sort of a warped demented ballerina.
