This summer, I planned to host three art workshops for some of our friends. This started because there were art experiences that I felt like Ellie was just not going to get in school* and I figured other folks might enjoy the same thing. Plus kid art is more fun as a group.

June completely got away from me, but I managed to pull off two in July.

All the porch furniture moved under a tree to create a lovely adult seating area.

For Painting (2D), we focused on objective v. non-opjective art and created a messy, group work flinging and rolling paint around. I layered a piece of paper for each participant in the bottom of a kiddie pool and then the kids flung a bit of paint around. We pulled it all apart and everyone took their section home. Then we switched focus to self-portraits.

Acrylic on Canvas Board – grown-up stuff here

Sculpture (3D) was yesterday. We worked on sand casts, sand clay modeling (the stuff dries like rock so it’s great for prehistoric art lessons), and wire sculpture.

We used hands and feet to make the molds. (they are free and everyone coming had them)

Ivey hands!

This one is great! Wire is cheap and easy. We added beads to make it kinetic. And colorful.

We had the best time! I want to do more. I don’t think I can manage once a month for our mainstream friends, but they have half-days at the end of each grading period so I’m wondering about hosting workshops those days. I’m also thinking about offering workshops whichever homeschool groups we land in.

I’ll email the sand clay recipe to anyone who asks – it’s good stuff.

*funding, class size restraints, the lack of a working sink in the art room, etc. etc. etc.