Week 4:Art

We're home from our "vacation" and trying to climb out from under the massive pile of dirty laundry. I'm also operating with an allergy haze. I went out to weed my garden this morning and now I can't stop sneezing.


I choose to have our theme on art this week for the benefit of my five year old daughter. Right now, she wants to be either an art teacher or "the person who holds the stop sign so the kids can cross the street" when she grows up. She loves using various mediums to create art.

"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up." -- Pablo Picasso


BOOKS:


The Art Book for Children, Book Two (Art Book for Children) by Editors of Phaidon Press (Hardcover - Oct 1, 2007)


Learn about a wide variety of art with this book. It includes large, color reproductions of famous art work through the centuries.



The Art Lesson (Paperstar Book) by Tomie dePaola


A sweet autobiographical picture book by beloved children's author Tomie dePaola, tells the story of Tommy who wants to be an artist and those who encourage him.


Discovering Great Artists: Hands-On Art for Children in the Styles of the Great Masters (Bright Ideas for Learning) by MaryAnn F. Kohl and Kim Solga



This book is full of art activities that teach the styles of the great artists such as Van Gogh and Rembrandt.



Let's Meet Famous Artists by Harriet Kinghorn (Author), et al.


Learn even more about the great artists with this book.



Museum ABC by The (NY) Metropolitan Museum of Art


This is a basic "A is for Apple" ABC book. However, it uses incredible full page artwork for the matching illustrations. This is a great way to introduce the alphabet and great art to youngsters.



Look for these books too:


Visiting the Art Museum (Unicorn) by Laurene Krasny Brown and Marc Brown

You Can't Take a Balloon into the Metropolitan Museum (Picture Puffins) by Jacqueline Preiss Weitzman and Robin Glasser

Vincent's Colors by Vincent van Gogh and The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Collins Big Book of Art: From Cave Art to Pop Art by David G. Wilkins

I Spy: An Alphabet in Art (I Spy Series) by Lucy Micklethwait


ACTIVITIES:


Pull out all your art supplies (the ones you're willing to share anyway) and do some fun projects with your kids. We have an art table in our loft that is reserved for all the art projects my kids create. I also have a protective cover for my dining room table when we want to do larger projects. Mine is soft felt on one side and plastic vinyl on the other. I had it cut to size at JoAnn's.


Dot Drawing: (pointillism)
* Draw a picture very lightly in pencil.
* Fill in the drawing using any of the various methods:
1. colored dots using colored pencils or fine-tipped markers
2. dip either end of a pencil in paint to make the dots
3. colored dot stickers
4. make various colored dots with a hole punch and card stock. Glue the holes to the picture
5. use glue and seed beads or fine pebbles to fill in the design



Crayon Rubbings:
Place a sheet of paper over an object, then rub the side of a crayon on the paper. The texture of the item will come through. Vary the color of crayon for added interest.



Crayon Melt:
This was one of my favorite activities as a kid but it definitely requires adult supervision. Turn the flat electric griddle on low. Place a paper on top and let your child draw with old crayons. The wax melts to the paper and creates an interesting effect.



Paint with various objects:
1. dip string in paint and drag it around the paper
2. roll marbles covered in paint over paper
3. drop thinned paint on paper and blow it with straws
4. paint with an old toothbrush



Paint inexpensive pots to use as gifts.



Sand Painting:
Color sand by mixing it with powdered tempera paint in different containers. Leave some sand uncolored. Use glue and sand to "paint" a design on a piece of cardboard. Shake off the excess sand.


There are hundreds of great art projects for kids.



ONLINE ACTIVITIES and RESOURCES:


Art Kids Rule has a plethora of creative ideas and activities, as does KinderArt.


The National Gallery of Art has a fun "Art Zone" for kids.


Learn about Degas, VanGogh and Cezanne on the Metropolitan Museum of Art website for kids.


Find art prints or cards on the Global Children's Art Gallery website.


FIELD TRIPS:


The Springville Art Museum is the oldest art museum in Utah and houses over 2000 works, the majority are Utah works. The Museum is open Tuesday – Saturday 10am to 5pm, Wednesdays 10am to 9pm, and Sundays 3pm to 6pm. Closed Mondays and Holidays, except the first Monday monthly from 6pm to 8pm for Community & Family Night. Admission is Free.


See various art exhibits at the Utah Museum of Fine Art on the University of Utah campus. Don't miss the coming exhibit of "Monet to Picasso" coming this summer (opening June 23rd). It is open Tuesday – Friday 10 am – 5 pm; Wednesday 10 am – 8 pm; Saturday and Sunday 11 am – 5 pm. The museum is closed Mondays and Holidays. The adult rate is $5, children over 5 are $3 and children under 5 are free.


The Brigham Young Museum of Art is open on Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and on Saturday from noon to 5:00 p.m. Admission is free although special exhibits may require an admission fee. The current exhibit is titled: American Dreams: Selected Works from the Museum's Permanent Collection of American Art.


The Kimball Art Center is located in Park City. Currently it is featuring the art of Robert Glenn Ketchum and Aaron Fritz. Participate in a "Gallery Stroll" on Friday evenings. It features 23 art galleries in Park City. Admission is $7.



The Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art is affiliated with Utah State University and is located in Logan. It is open on Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission is free. This museum has several exhibits including Klompen.



The Museum of Church History and Art of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints features many exhibits. Currently, there is an exhibit of art created by women. The museum is open on Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free.



The Chase Home Museum of Utah Folk Art is located in the center of Liberty Park in Salt Lake City. It is open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and noon to 5:00 p.m. on Monday through Thursday. Admission is free.



There are many other art galleries, museums and centers in Utah.
Eccles Community Art Center
Mary Elizabeth Dee Shaw Gallery
Union Station Gallery
Kaysville LeConte Stewart Gallery of Art
Bountiful-Davis Art Center
Finch Lane Gallery/Art Barn
Salt Lake Art Center
Fairview Museum of History and Art
Braithwaite Fine Arts Gallery
St. George Art Museum