Materials
Paper
Scissors
Markers
Glue or stapler
Paper punch
Notebook paper hole reinforcers or tape
String or yarn, cut into 18" (45 cm) pieces
Instructions
1. Throughout the year, collect a variety of the children's artwork, including
drawings, paintings, collages, and clay work. Collect at least five examples
from each child. If desired, frame the paintings and drawings (but it is not
necessary).
2. Choose a date to have your "First Annual Art for All Ages Art Festival." With
the children, design and send out a flyer to parents announcing this event.
Explain that each child will be represented as a local artist. (An example: "You
are cordially invited to our First Annual Art of All Ages Festival! Local artists
from [class name] will be prominently featured! Be sure to make plans to
attend.") Include the date, time, and location on the flyer.
3. Give parents plenty of notice so they can make arrangements to attend. If
possible, make it an all-day event so it will be easier for parents to attend. In
addition, send home a reminder a couple of days before the festival.
4. Design an "About the Artist" card for each featured artwork. Include:
* Title of Piece
* Name of Artist
* Current Date
* A short blurb about the artist. For example, "When Malcolm is not dabbling
in watercolors, he likes to play in the Block Area." (Interview the
children to find out these facts. Be creative, have fun! The more you
make this sound like a "real" artist's biography, the more fun it is.)
5. Provide a healthy snack to serve at the festival. Ask parents to volunteer to do
this, or take a day and prepare something with the children. Make your snack
a work of art in itself. (See "More to do" for ideas)
6. With the children, create nametags to wear at the party.
7. Designate a specific amount of wall space for each child. Post his "About the
Artist" card in this space and arrange the art around it. Use the tops of bookshelves
for artwork you cannot hang. If you run out of space, spill over into
the hallway or common area. (Remember where you put each child's work.)
8. Greet parents as they arrive. Use your best manners the children will follow
your lead. Introduce the child as you would any important artist, and let the
child lead the parents on a tour of his artwork. Encourage parents to take
their time to look at other children's work. Go around with them and comment
on the child's use of color and positive and negative spaces. The children
will benefit from hearing positive things about their work.
9. After the festival, send artwork home with the parents.
More to do
Snack: Cube Stackers Stir 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) boiling apple juice into one package
of gelatin. Stir until gelatin is completely dissolved. Spray an 8" (20 cm)
square baking pan with non-stick coating or wipe it with cooking oil. Pour the
gelatin into the pan. Refrigerate at least three hours (or overnight). Cut the gelatin
into cubes and put them on a plate. Serve them with a bowl of fruit (such as
berries, bananas, apples slices), and you have the ingredients for constructing
interesting sculptures and freeform art before eating them. Make several colors of
cubes to enhance the fun! (Depending on your class size, you may need to
double or triple this recipe.)
More Snack: Fun Color Parfait Prepare gelatin according to the package directions
(make two contrasting colors). Pour each color into separate 9" x 9" (22 cm
x 22 cm) pans and refrigerate at least four hours (or overnight). Cut each pan of
gelatin into 1/2 " (1 cm) cubes. Layer alternating flavors and whipped topping in
dessert glasses to create a Fun Color Parfait. (Serves 8.)
