Spark Arts

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Spark Arts is a Brooklyn-based afterschool and summer enrichment program for elementary school aged children.

Our mission is to cultivate a sense of wonder and respect for nature and cultural traditions through artistic expression and outdoor play.

09/29/2026

Here are just some of the amazing works by our metalsmiths! We explored the history of metalsmithing through the ages, learning about ancient techniques such as heating and hammering metal, casting with molds, and the many ways metalwork has been used to create weapons, tools, and decorative objects. We were especially fascinated by the sophisticated metalsmithing skills of the Vikings, who used these techniques to create intricate jewelry and weaponry. We discovered that some of the techniques that Vikings used (such as wire filigree and repoussé) are ones we’ve explored in previous classes!

08/31/2026

We are so proud of our young art enthusiasts who put care and purpose into every piece of art during our summer camp weeks! Each week culminated in celebratory art exhibitions that students helped to curate. Thank you to the families who attended!

We learned about Peruvian gourd crafting, fishing traps from Polynesia, Chinese Feng Shui, printmaking, American scrimshaw, bookbinding, weaving, paper quilling, and more. Our crafters worked with a variety of materials like cane, shell, clay, yarn, leather and bone, and used tools like the sewing machine, airbrush, etching pens, printmaking press, and drill.

Our time was filled with both personal and collaborative work. We circled up everyday to view each others’ creations, and during these important moments, students offered heartfelt feedback and support to their peers. It was incredible to see the friendships and sense of community that quickly blossomed in this highly creative environment!

There is still a little room left in our fall classes starting in September! Link in bio!

03/19/2026

This winter session, we’ve been too busy making art to post much online! We’ve focused on arts from Egypt, Jordan, Italy, North America, Bhutan and more, but one thing we love oh so much and keep coming back to is Japanese art! Here are some of the Japanese inspired projects we’ve been working on!

Spark students always delight in the wabi sabi aesthetic: imperfect, rustic, organic and inspired by nature. This season we learned about the elegance and courtly refinement of the Heian period’s miyabi aesthetic and practiced this style on decorative kushi combs. We finished off with a glaze to give our combs a traditional lacquered look.

Some students created indigo shibori dyed pieces, experimenting with different styles of binding and stitching.

Some worked on suminagashi marbling... always a mesmerizing experience!

And wowed by the simple subtlety of tomeishi string-tied stones in Zen gardens, students wove on rocks or bound them with reed.

We’re gearing up for spring season with amazing students. While after school group classes are full, reach out about private classes!

02/19/2026

Alongside plasterwork, machine sewing, and stitched fabric appliqué inspired by American folk art, our 6–13-year-olds have also been exploring depth and perspective through the creation of layered 3D tunnel books—a form of accordion book first developed in Germany centuries ago. Each miniature scene is a delight to behold, ranging from serene Japanese landscapes to a wildly imagined land of bubble tea characters!

11/17/2025

This week, one class learned about Tibetan sand mandalas, their purpose, symbolism, construction, and destruction. Our students selected a Guru Rinpoche mandala to work on and did a phenomenal job! More to come next week!

11/12/2025

A day of basket making in the park with Spark Arts!

11/11/2025

A perfect fall craft! In two of our classes, we learned about daily life, homes, health practices, diet, and ways of passing time shared by the Northeastern tribes like the Lenape and Haudenosaunee. Commonly, the husk of the multi-use corn plant would be used to make dolls. We heard the legend of the No Face Doll, whose vanity caused the Great Spirit to remove her face. The corn husk doll is traditionally made without a face, as a reminder of the importance of humility.

We made our own corn husk dolls and designed clothing for them! These joyful and imaginative kids came up with an intricate story and home set up for their new dolls, complete with food pantry, beds, and more!

11/03/2025

Patience is the name of the game in the art of stone carving. Here are some of our stone-carved works in progress. Our kids learned to create Chinese seals, used to stamp names on official documents or artwork. We closely inspected real examples of Chinese seals and were inspired by their detail and precision. We used carving tools to begin the lengthy task of carving the top of our seals into 3-dimensional shapes and animals. Once we got the hang of it, many of the kids deemed the experience “sooo satisfying” and we couldn’t agree more!

Address

Brooklyn, NY
11215

Website

http://sparkartsbk.org/

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