Art Class

I can not say enough great things about Abi’s art class this summer.  I loved it.  She loved it.  The grandparents loved it.  The whole shebang.   If you’re looking for something delightful…the Museum of Nature and Science Education Department.  We headed down there every Wednesday morning this summer for some messy, inspirational fun.

Our teacher, Miss Margie (who, in my complete lack of memory totally forgot to get a picture of with abi!) was wonderful and did a great job of having a mini lesson about the artist (from Claude Monet to Andy Warhol to Vincent van Gogh) and then artwork that was inspired by them!  We both learned so much – truly!

It’ll probably make it on our calendar again in the Spring – but who knows.  Isn’t it silly how many things you can get a 2 year old involved in?  Kind of makes me sick to my stomach, as I can see I’m tempted to put her in everything – the type of parent that you read articles about.  But it’s hard, isn’t it?  You want them to get a taste of every little thing this beautiful world has to offer.  I want to see her eyes light up in gymnastics, her beautiful and awkward grace in ballet class, her fascination for the natural world grow in Miss Jenna’s (now Mr. Faizel’s – both former coworkers at the zoo) Birds of Play class at the Audubon Center, goodness, I want it all for her.  Plus, I want her to be that child whose mind is creative while she sits in her backyard and finds great comfort just from being at home.  And I want her to learn to take joy in simplicity so that she can give generously to others.  But, this is neither here nor there.  Just my ramblings.

We’re talking about art class.

A few samplings – we had such a fun summer in the basement of the museum!

(our friends Tracy and Zach – they seriously looked like this after every class.  Often when abi didn’t have a drop of paint on her.  Oh, the difference between a boy and girl!)

They always had so many little things for them to work on.  They understood the mind of a 2 year old well.  There was easel time, and usually at least 3 other projects for them to be working on.  And each week they added something more to their canvas, which was then sealed for the last day of class.

 

The sweet canvas.  It is already a treasured “Wallace Original.”  Miss Margie hung each child’s canvas around the room, like it was a gallery showing!  Such a thoughtful touch.

Nanny & Grandpa came for the last day too.  Isn’t she just too cute holding up her canvas?! (Even with eyes closed!)

Someone told me once to save all of their artwork in one place, and then every 6 months clean it out.  That way it is still fresh in your mind – you know what was most meaningful – and you are able to throw some stuff away!  Seriously, I can already imagine the boxes upon boxes of papers!

Goodbye summer of art class!  Thanks for the good ideas, the messiness, the memories.