June 13, 2013

Free summer art programs focus on creativity

by Tiana Russell

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s University Museum is offering the community several opportunities this summer to participate and learn in a variety of multimedia art and art education projects.

Children’s activities include drawing, stamp making, and other exciting educational learning workshops.

The programs are free, but pre-registration is a requirement. Programs without adequate registration are subject to cancellation two days prior to the program date.  In some programs, space is limited due to the enrollment of “partnership groups.” Rainbow’s End is the partnership group this semester.

Pre-register by calling 618/453-5388.  All programs begin at University Museum in Faner Hall on campus.  These programs are 10:15 to 11:30 a.m.

Here is the schedule for the remainder of the summer:

The workshops for children ages 5-7 combine art appreciation and hands-on art. Participants will discuss their artwork. 

  • June 25 -- Foldout Books.  Participants with create accordion books and then fill them with everything from drawings to photomontages.
  • July 9 -- Stamps and Print Makers/Art Keepers.  Make an art keeper to keep art safe. Then participants will make beautiful prints to put inside it.
  • July 23 -- Diversity Quilt.  Everyone will make tiles (squares) that reflect their personality and special way of seeing the world. Piece the squares together to create a fantastic diversity quilt.
  • August 6 -- Mixed Media Scuplturama!  Participants create relief sculpture (sculpture made on a background) from several different materials.

The workshops for children ages 6-11 will also combine art appreciation and hands-on art. Participants will discuss and write about their artwork. Younger students work with older students in writing activities.

  • Tuesday, June 18 -- Flower garden and Jungle Drawing/Mural II.  Visit the SIU Carbondale Plant Biology Greenhouse to see all sorts of plants, then create a drawing/collage mural at the museum.
  • July 2 -- Another one for the books. Produce bound books and fill them with writings, drawings, collages, and more.
  • July 16 -- Combinorama!  Students will make an art portfolio (a folder in which to keep art safe). Then make art “combines” like artist Robert Rauschenberg to go inside the portfolio.
  • July 30 -- Art that moves! Participants will look at art that moves by artists such as Alexander Calder, then create colorful mobiles that move and spin!

Visit http://www.museum.siu.edu/ for more information. The University Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, 1-4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, and closed on Monday.  Admission to most exhibits is free, but donations are always welcome.