The ARTivity Center

11/17/2023

🌟 Double the Fun, Double the Creativity! 🌟
We'll be meeting on Tuesday afternoon, November 21st, next week from 1:00-2:30 🖌️
Hey, young artists! 🎨 Get ready for an upcoming workshop that's not just one, but TWO amazing projects in one magical session! 🦃✨ We'll kick off the artistic journey by reading the delightful stories of "Run, Turkey, Run" by Diane Mayr and "Turkey Trouble" by Wendi Silvano.

After the laughter and inspiration from our turkey tales, it's time to have some feathery fun! (I got such a kick out of doing this myself!) Using foam and vibrant acrylic metallic paint, we'll craft magnificent turkey feathers that shimmer with creativity. Picture feathers that sparkle and shine, making your turkey truly stand out!

And if time permits after completing our shimmery, colorful turkeys, we'll dive into an extra fun project: finding ways to disguise some turkeys to help them from becoming Thanksgiving dinner! Imagine giving a turkey a superhero cape, a wild costume, or even an intergalactic outfit - let your imagination run wild!

Two projects, double the creativity, and endless possibilities! Join us for a workshop filled with artistic adventure and fun. Reserve your spot now, and let's make this session a celebration of imagination! 🚀🎨
🏠 Location: The ARTivity Center, 12 minutes south of Menards on Hwy 83

🗓️ Date: Tuesday, November 21st
⏰ Time: *special time* 1:00-2:30
🏠 Location: The ARTivity Center, 12 minutes south of Menards on Hwy 83

Comment 🙋‍♂️ below or message us to reserve a spot! 💌📲 Come Join in the Fun!🤗

Check out our website: https://artivity.fun/workshops/
Cost: $10
For children ages 6-12 Limited class size! 🎨🌟

11/09/2023

Join Us for a Gratitude Tree Children's Art Workshop!
Thursday, November 16th 3:45-4:45

🌳🎨 What's in Store: 🎨🌳

At our children's workshop, each family of children will collaborate to create a unique masterpiece:

1. **Painting the Canvas Background:** Young artists will add their own creative strokes to the canvas background, setting the stage for the artwork.

2. **Crafting the Tree Trunk:** Children will work on painting segments of the tree, which will then be joined as one trunk onto the canvas background.

3. **Shimmering Leaves:** Metallic watercolors (love working with these! so much fun!) will be used to paint the leaves, giving them a touch of fall colors that seem to shimmer with the changing season.

4. **Expressing Gratitude:** Children get to express their appreciation by writing down what they’re grateful for and what they wish to have more of in their lives. They will take home their painted leaves to share and create a whole family Gratitude Tree, celebrating thankfulness.

📖 Literary Inspiration: Our workshop is inspired by "Thanks for Thanksgiving" by Julie Markes, a heartwarming story that reminds us of the importance of gratitude and coming together.

This children's workshop is not just about art; it's about fostering a sense of thankfulness and unity among young artists. It's an opportunity for children to express themselves through art.

🗓️ Date: November 16th
⏰ Time: 3:45-4:45
🏠 Location: The ARTivity Center, 12 minutes south of Menards on Hwy 83
Comment 🙋‍♂️ below or message us to reserve a spot! 💌📲 Come Join in the Fun!🤗

Check out our website: https://artivity.fun/workshops/
Cost: $10
For children ages 6-12 Limited class size! 🎨🌟

Let's paint, create, and give thanks together! 🌳🎨🙏🏼

💖 🎨🌈

11/06/2023

🎨 Young artists, this one's for you! Join us on Thursday, November 9th! 3:45-4:45

Join our exciting art workshop filled with creativity and fun! We're going to have some fun with washi tape and watercolors. First, you'll place strips of washi tape on your paper, creating a web of lines. Then, you'll use watercolor paint to fill the spaces. Once it dries, peel off the tape to reveal your masterpiece!

📚 Inspired by the book "Lines" by Philip Yenawine, where artists use lines to make amazing pictures, this workshop lets your imagination run wild. 🌈🖌️

🗓️ Date: November 9th
⏰ Time: 3:45-4:45
🏠 Location: The ARTivity Center, 12 minutes south of Menards on Hwy 83
Comment 🙋‍♂️ below or message us to reserve a spot! 💌📲 Come Join in the Fun!🤗

💖 🎨🌈
For more information or to sign up, check out our website: https://artivity.fun/workshops/
Cost: $10
For children ages 6-12 Limited class size! 🎨🌟

09/25/2023

🎨✨ Hey there, folks! We've got some cool news to share - take a peek at our latest blog post, "Modeling Clay Creative Fun." 🌟🖌️

In this post, we're giving you a behind-the-scenes look at our recent ARTivity workshop. It was a day full of imagination and creative exploration! 📚🖌️

Discover how the book "The New Baby Calf" by Plasticine artist Barbara Reid captivated both kids and grown-ups alike, inspiring a deeper love for art and an appreciation of the beauty all around us. 📖🐮

You can read the full blog post here: https://artivity.fun/childrenandart/modeling-clay-creative-fun/

And if you're a parent looking to nurture your child's artistic side, we've got a special tip for you - check out Barbara Reid's website: https://barbarareid.ca. It's packed with creative ideas and interesting insights. 🎨✨

Let's celebrate the magic of art and the pure joy of getting creative together! 🙌🖼️

09/22/2023

Hey there, art lovers! 🎨

Our recent workshop was all about exploring warm and cool colors through the enchanting tale of "The Contest Between the Sun and the Wind." 🌞 We read two versions of this classic fable and saw how illustrations can bring emotions to life.

Our young artists created stunning sunsets and landscapes with liquid watercolors, using warm shades for the sun's strength and cool hues for the calming sea or landscape. They also added a personal touch with hand tracing and pastels.

Find out how it all came together in our latest blog post! Click the link to read the full story and see the amazing artwork. ✨

https://artivity.fun/childrenandart/exploring-warm-and-cool-colors/

Stay tuned for more creative adventures! 🌈

Shining Brightly and Embracing Colors: A Creative Journey with Aesop’s Fable In our recent workshop, we embarked on a creative exploration that we’re excited to share with you. The literary connection for our workshop was Aesop’s Fable, “The Contest Between the Sun and the Wind.” This time...

08/27/2023

🌟🎨 Exciting News! 🎨🌟 Let your kids' creativity soar at our ARTivity workshop on Thursday, August 31st from 3:45-4:45! 🤩🐮🐣

🌟 Join us as we explore the magical world of Barbara Reid, the renowned Plasticine artist 🎉 in her fantastic book "The New Baby Calf" 📚. Get ready for a heartwarming adventure as we dive into the love between a mother cow and her adorable calf using colorful, non-drying modeling clay! And perfect timing as we've just had a new calf Poppy born on our farm. 🌈🐄🐾

🎉🌿 This fun-filled workshop 🌿🎉 will inspire kids of all ages to unleash their imagination 🌈✨ and create their very own farm scenes! 🏞️🐥🌾 A day filled with laughter, art, and loads of fun! 🎨😄

🗓️ Date: August 31st
⏰ Time: 3:45-4:45
🏠 Location: The ARTivity Center, 12 minutes south of Menards on Hwy 83

Comment 🙋‍♂️ below or message us to reserve a spot! 💌📲 Come Join in the Fun!🤗💖 🎨🐾🌈

For more information or to sign up, check out our website: https://artivity.fun/workshops/
Cost: $10
For children ages 6-12 Limited class size

08/25/2023

The Significance of "Their" Art: Nurturing the Inner Artist in Each Child

In the world of art workshops for children, one of the most valuable lessons we can teach is the importance of "their" art. As the host of these workshops, my journey has taught me that every child possesses a unique artistic voice that deserves to be celebrated and nurtured.

As a child, I too had my own experiences in art class that left a lasting impact. I vividly remember bringing my drawing to the art teacher, eager to share my creation with him. However, his response was not what I expected. He took my work and began to draw all over it, offering suggestions on how I could make it better in his eyes. This experience left me feeling disheartened and questioning my abilities as an artist. It's a memory that has stayed with me, and it's precisely why I've made it a fundamental principle in my art workshops to never impose my ideas on the children.

In my workshops, I have the privilege of witnessing young artists embark on their creative journeys. It's a magical process that unfolds when we, as adults, take a step back and allow them to take the lead. It's "their" art, not ours. This concept is at the core of what I do, and it's something I strive to instill not only in the children but also in the parents and guardians who attend with them.

My role is not to dictate or dominate their artistic expression but to create an environment where they can freely explore and discover their unique styles. I provide guidance when needed, offering ideas for different techniques they might want to try. However, I make it a point never to impose my suggestions or alter their work in any way. It's crucial that they feel their art is a reflection of their own creativity, not an extension of my vision.

By respecting the individuality of each child's art, we empower them to embrace their creative potential fully. We teach them that there is no right or wrong in art, only self-expression. This lesson goes beyond the art project; it fosters self-confidence, encourages independent thinking, and fuels their belief that they can achieve anything they desire.

"Their" art is a testament to the individuality and boundless potential of each child. It's a reminder that as mentors and parents, our role is to guide, support, and, most importantly, let them shine brightly in their unique artistic journeys. In doing so, we help them recognize that they have the power to paint their dreams and aspirations on the canvas of life, unburdened by doubt or self-criticism.

08/23/2023

Last week in our art workshop the children experimented and tried out different ways to paint their dandelions for their projects. We offered them five cool ways to make their own dandelions.

Some of the kids went for the group of cotton swabs all bundled together, making these intricate and detailed dandelions. Others got busy with sponges, which gave their dandelions a unique texture and look. And then, a few decided to give toilet paper rolls a go, turning them into lovely dandelions with their artistic touch.

We also had some pillow stuffing fluff on hand, and that added a soft and fuzzy vibe to their creations. And also a surprise last minute addition, I introduced some packing material that I cut into circles, and you won't believe it, but that turned out to be a big hit with the kids!

Each child got to choose their favorite technique or mix and match from different methods, thus empowering them as they make these artistic decisions. And this experimentation becomes a part of the process when they create their next art project as well.

This workshop was a perfect example of why I do what I do - to inspire these young minds to shine brightly and discover more about themselves. Through art, it helps children realize that they can create anything they set their minds to. Loved seeing them express themselves and figure out what they liked best to create their art.

As I watched these budding artists experiment and create with so much enthusiasm, it reminded me of the core goal of The ARTivity Center: to encourage these kids to explore their creative potential. I'm super excited to continue with them on their artistic journeys, helping them unlock their full potential, one workshop at a time.

08/17/2023

In workshops at the ARTivity Center, I'm here to learn, to create, and to discover alongside the children. Together we're painting a world of possibilities, where imagination knows no bounds. In this blog post I relay one story about how I often am learning as much from the children as they are from me.

You can read more about it here. https://artivity.fun/childrenandart/embracing-the-joyful-journey-of-learning-together/

08/15/2023

📚🌞 Join us Thursday, August 24th from 3:45-4:45 for our ARTivity workshop featuring the story, "The Contest Between the Sun and the Wind: An Aesop's Fable"! 🌬️❤️ This timeless tale reminds us that gentler means often prevail over forceful approaches. Susan Gaber's charming illustrations in this book beautifully depict the whimsical nature of this fable with flowing lines, vibrant textures, and captivating imagery.

🎨🌅 During our art project, we'll explore the world of warm and cool colors! 🌞🎨 Children will unleash their creativity as they draw a sun setting on the ocean. 🌊🌅 They'll use vibrant warm colors like 🔴 reds, 🟡 yellows, and 🟠 oranges to paint the sun, while serene cool colors like 🔵 blues, 🟣 purples, and 🟢 greens will bring life to the beautiful ocean. 🎨🌊

Come Join in the Fun! 🌞🌈🖌️ 🎉🌞🌊

For more information or to sign up, check out our website: https://artivity.fun/workshops/
Cost: $10
For children ages 6-12 Limited class size
Located 12 minutes south of Menards on Hwy 83.

08/13/2023

🍁 Fall Art Fun! 🍂🎨 Join us for After-School Art Workshops starting August 17th! 🌟 Now on Thursday afternoons, 3:45 PM - 4:45 PM. Let your child's creativity shine! Limited spots. Reserve now! ✨🎈

For more information or to sign up, check out our website: https://artivity.fun
Cost: $10
For children ages 6-12 Small class size
Located 12 minutes south of Menards on Hwy 83.
Come Join in the Fun!

08/09/2023

🦈🎨 Wrapped up a fantastic Shark Day at the ARTivity Center yesterday! 🌊🎉 Kids delved into the incredible journey of "Shark Lady" Eugenie Clark, painted vibrant ocean scenes, and gave life to sharks on paper. A big thank you to all who joined us for this artistic day! Mark your calendars for our upcoming Dandelion Painting workshop on Thursday, August 17th, from 3:45-4:45. 🌼🖼️ Stay tuned for more exciting events. 🎈🖼️