Art Explorers, a new after school art enrichment program, starts this month in downtown Franklin. Children from age 7 through 14 will experiment with painting, sculpting, card making and other art experiences at Artbeat the Creativity Store on Summer Street.
The objective is to “make art for the fun of it, “ says program leader Claire Griffin who is a practicing artist in Franklin. “That’s the best way to discover what you like, without the pressure of having to earn grades.”
Unlike an art class that focuses on learning a specific skill, Art Explorers gives students a chance to play with materials they may not have tried before, such as gyotaku (Japanese fish printing), SUMINAGASHI (paper marbling) and paper making. Students will also learn how to keep an art journal using the materials they create in class along with their own sketches and writing.
The program is led by Franklin artist Claire Griffin, who holds a BFA from Mass College of Art. Griffin is the founder of Griffin Ink and a member of the Franklin Art Association and the Franklin Cultural Council. The 10-week program begins September 29th and is held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 to 5:30 pm. Snacks and materials are included in the fee. Students can sign up for one or both days, and can attend single sessions or sign up for the series.
Children not ready or able to join up for a class will be able to explore mosaics, sand painting, and other art projects at their leisure in the adjacent walk-in studio. Learn More
Thanks to all who have signed up for Creativity Beatcamp at Artbeat in Franklin. There are still some spots available for the last weeks in July.
Read about it here
Thanks to Omar Vikin who wrote “Your too young Maybe Next Year” a book about coming of age. We hosted the book reading/signing and offered a free craft in our Franklin store.
Paige just brought in her coffee filter and bottle cap Art Piece called “So i herd u liek Jellyfish?!!”
The deadline is fast approaching and the prizes are piling up! link
View more submissions here
Thanks to Debra Wainright for bringing Bramble to Artbeat for the book reading, activity and to take pictures. We have found a new friend in Bramble and the great book Debra has written That Kind Of Dog
FRANKLIN ONLY. May 21st Bring the kids to ARTBEAT Your Creativity Store from 4:30-6pm to meet local author/illustrator Debra Wainwright, who will read from her new book, That Kind of Dog. Get your signed copy of this charming story and have your picture taken with Bramble. Also make a free craft project while enjoying light refreshments.
Now your child can help make birthdays more special for homeless children – and enjoy a fun art project at the same time! ARTBEAT Your Creativity Store and the Birthday Guru Mama, Jan Griffin-Hazlett, have teamed together to offer a monthly free craft time that benefits the children who receive birthday parties from Birthday Wishes. Your child will decorate a sand art birthday card that will be given to a child celebrating a birthday while living in a homeless shelter.
WHY?
Help your kids learn the value of charity, service and giving. We will talk about the Birthday Wishes organization and what they do for homeless kids.
WHEN? Held the first Saturday of every month from 3:30 to 4 pm at 9 Summer St Franklin MA, the inaugural event takes place on Saturday May 2nd.
OTHER INFO:Appropriate for ages 4+ (with an adult helper)
Right now this event is only available in our Franklin store.
Local mom Jan Griffin-Hazlett is the author of “Abracadabra to Zany: A Smorgasbord of Birthday Vendors in Central & Eastern Massachusetts”. ARTBEAT is featured in the book as a great location for children’s art parties.
More info
Kick-Off at ARTBEAT Your Creativity StoreThursday, April 16, 2009
It’s no secret that the tons of materials we discard each year end up in landfills, using valuable land and resources that could be put to better use. We know it’s important to reduce our waste, reuse things when possible, and recycle whatever we can.
Here’s a fun way to help the environment and the economy at the same time: turn something headed for the trash pile into a treasure you’ll want to keep! To get your creative juices flowing, we challenge you to find something that has been thrown away or put in the recycle bin and give it new life as something useful or decorative.
FIND OUT MORE AND SIGN UP AT ARTBEATONLINE.COM
If you missed out on our gnome making classes this month but would still like to learn how, here are two great options: purchase a gnome making kit (complete instructions and materials for making two gnomes, or let us know you’d like us to schedule another. Open to adults and teens, this class can be held on almost any night if we have 4 or more people interested. Let us know here
During The Third Thursday event this March in Franklin, we hosted a Student Art show from Franklin’s Schools. The event was well attended, and we saw some great works by young artists.
