August 22, 2008

Museum to host Free Family Workshops

by Andrea Hahn

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Participants in the University Museum Free Family Workshops at Southern Illinois University Carbondale this autumn have the chance not only to study art as form and function but also the ulterior motives behind some art and design.

The free Saturday afternoon programs challenge participants to examine presidential campaign imagery one week and to create sculptures and other art in other weeks. The programs are for children ages 7 to 14. Participants may sign up for all classes or just a few, but pre-registration is a requirement. All classes are from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Call 618/453-5388 to register.

Here’s a schedule:

Sept. 13 -- Lights, Lanterns, Luminaria

Make your own lit-up art on this Saturday just in time for the longer nights and shorter days of autumn.

Sept. 20 -- Paper Weaving

Decorate it, then weave it. What will you make? Your limit is your imagination.

Oct. 4 -- What a Relief! Sculpture!

Create a sculpture in relief in this program and learn by doing about line and shape and three-dimensions.

Nov. 1 -- Your Presidential Campaign

First, participants visit the Mileur Presidential Memorabilia exhibit, which includes all manner of campaign items dating back to the Frontier days. Then, participants decide what images they would use and how in their own campaigns.

Dec. 6 -- Return of Recycled Sculpture

Participants should bring small items of… well, of things they no longer have a use for to share with the group as everyone turns clutter into art.

For more information about the University Museum, visit www.museum.siu.edu/.