Art for the family at 1219
Posted September 07, 2007
As summer winds die down, Studio 1219 is offering a unique activity that encourages families to spend time together. And the program will either inspire or test your creative abilities. Make Art Family Sunday’s is a monthly program and provides families with the chance to come to Port Huron’s art incubator and explore the arts hands-on for free. The program is supported by the Chase Foundation.
“Their generous support has allowed Studio 1219 to host free art classes and crate a hands-on educational festival,” Educational Director Maureen Scallen said. “The Chase Foundation is a strong supporter of creative educational programming in the St. Clair County communities.”
Each month families can choose from a wide variety of art mediums, including drawing, painting, sculpture, potter, print making, and many more mixed media arts.
Make Art Family Sunday debuted last winter and was met with relative success, Scallen said.
“Sundays are typically family days and originally it was our hope to bring families into the galleries on that day,” she said. “Offering a chance to create some art give families something different to do. Those who participated in the winter really seemed to enjoy it.”
The fall series began Aug. 26. Additional dates are Sept 23, Oct. 21, Nov. 18, and Dec. 16. The even is 1:30-3 p.m. in the Studio’s classroom. Local artist Lezly Straub leads the sessions.
“Our culture is so left-brain minded that we don’t get to experience the right brain creativity at a leisurely pace,” Straub said. “It’s an opportunity to do just that. It’s a chance for people to experience certain types of art for free.
“Plus, if you think about it, it’s an easy date with your child or children.”
Each family Sunday features a specific activity with a brief history of the artist, a lesson on the technique and the opportunity to try their hand at it. The September program will be pastel on sandpaper while the recent August Sunday featured artist Georgia O’Keefe and participants crated painting on canvas.
“For those who can draw, we have pictures to follow, for those who can’t, we have something they can trace,” Straub said. “We’re not out to embarrass people about their lack of artistic abilities. We’re sensitive to the non-artists.
“We’re simply giving them a chance to try something new, and at the end of the day they have something to take home. Making art should be enjoyable. We want them to come back again.”
For more information about Make Art Family Sunday’s, call Studio 1219 at (810) 984-ARTS.
Story originally published in the Downriver Voice by Mary Lou Creamer on September 5, 2007