Free Crafts by Artists' Exchange on the last Saturday of each month!
Craft bash themes are not only designed to be fun art activities for kids but also enriching
learning opportunities. The arts can work as a tool for strengthening skills in all disciplines
by offering alternative ways to think about core subjects. Many art projects unknowingly
have ties to math, science and history. By exemplifying these concepts throughout the project,
kids can build their art skills while learning cross-curricular information at the same time.
2023 Craft Themes
April
Nature Sculptures
Sculptor and environmentalist, Andy Goldsworthy creates site-specific sculptures and land art in natural and urban settings using only natural materials. After Learning about Goldsworthy’s work create a sculpture of your own.
May
Whats in a Flag
In honor of Memorial Day, learn how to create a mixed media encaustic flag, inspired by the painting, Flag, by Jasper Johns.
June
Plein Air Painting
Plein air painting is a technique in which we leave our studio behind and experience painting and drawing the landscape around us. This practice dates back or centuries but was truly made into an art form by French Impressionists such as Caude Monet and Auguste Renoir. Learn about impressionism and how you can apply it to your own landscape painting of the great outdoors.
July
Cool for Summer
Make unique tie dyed bandanas to keep you cool on those hot days! Different dyes require different chemicals to make them colorfast, learn which is which to keep your colors bright and beautiful.
August
Once Upon a Starry Night
Talk about the stars and patterns in the sky and create artwork inspired by your favorite constellation. As we also examine the famous painting Starry Night, perhaps there is a constellation in this painting.
September
Cyanotype Prints
Cyanotype is a photographic printing process that produces a cyan-blue print. Engineers used the process well into the 20th century as a simple and low-cost process to produce copies of drawings, referred to as blueprints. Apply this same process to create prints from nature and everyday objects. Use our materials or bring your own objects to print.
October
Upcycled Wearables
Design a new belt or bag. Create a vest or hat. When armed with a box full of recyclables or commonly discarded items, what will you create?
November
Heart Felt
Not your standard precut sheets from the store. Study the ancient, sustainable art form of felting as we create functional pieces of art using materials direct from their source! Kids will work with raw sheep wool, soap and water to make one of a kind pieces of felt.
December
Home for the Holidays
This month, stop by Artists’ Exchange and pick up your “home for the holidays” craft kit. Each craft kit includes a painting project and a drawing project with the materials directions and extension ideas for even more at home crafts.
Proudly Supported by:
Roy T. Morgan
Electric Boat Employees’ Community Services Association (EBECSA)
