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Thursday, September 25, 2014

New Beginnings

A new year, a new school, and time is flying by.

It's both interesting and challenging to be teaching all the students from kindergarten through high school. I find myself looking at all the resources available so that I can best serve my students. There's a lot out there. I'll be using this blog to post links, pictures, local art events and opportunities.

Here at St Stephens we've been busy. The Kinder and Lower El students made their mark for International Dot Day inspired by the book The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds.

In the meantime, Lower School students created pinwheels for Pinwheels for Peace. We celebrated International Peace Day on Monday, September 22. I hope you had the opportunity to be there.

Currently the kindergarten students are learning about frottage (rubbings) and texture. We've used texture sheets and done rubbings of the bottom of our shoes. Max Ernst was one of the first artists to exhibit artwork made by doing rubbings. You can find some of his best work in the Surreal exhibit at the Menil Collection just around the corner and down the street. See if you can spot any of his frottages. He also used collage and decalcomania. We'll get around to those soon. (Keep an eye out for the opening of the Menil Bistro!)

Lower and Upper El students are learning about Monarch butterflies in anticipation of participating in the annual Symbolic Monarch Migration. Our butterflies will be taking flight on October 10, but between now and then we'll be learning about all things butterfly and particularly Monarchs.

The IMYC students are currently trying out different art media and techniques on artist trading cards. We're working on the big ideas of "Adaptability" and "Relationship".

The IB and Pre-IB/Art 1 students have been working on Day of the Dead pieces to be displayed at Lawndale Art Center's 27th Annual Dias de los Muertos. They've really been working hard. Their work will be exhibited upstairs at Lawndale from October 20th to November 8th.

Lawndale Art Center's 27th Annual Dias de los Muertos

Lawndale Art Center has a number of events in coordination with the Days of the Dead. I'll be leading a workshop creating papel picado at Lawndale Art Center on October 21 at 6:00 PM. The workshop is free to the public. I'd love to see you there!

The Gala and Silent Retablo Auction on October 23 is a great place to pick up some good art for very reasonable prices while supporting a good cause. Admission is $65 for the public or $40 for members. I'll have a retablo in the auction.

The Family Day Fiesta will be November 1st from noon until 4:00. Admission is free. There'll be refreshments and children's activities including decorating sugar skulls. There will be entertainment offered by the Houston Grand Opera, Mixteco Ballet Folklorico, and Secret Admirer Puppets.

Keeping up to date on the arts.

There are several different websites that keep up with our local arts and beyond. You might want to check out ArtsHound, Houston Arts Alliance's arts, culture and entertainment guide for all Houston arts. If you're staying home or traveling in Texas, Glasstire Texas: Visual Art News will keep you up to date on the latest visual arts events throughout the state.

If you want to look at art from museums all over the world take a trip through cyber space to Google Art Project. You'll be amazed. It's a great resource for anyone interested in art.

Upcoming and ongoing art events for families and kids

Saturday October 4: Hands on Houston: A Celebration of Glass Art at the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft. Free. Hands on Houston events are usually held on the first saturday of the month. Free

Saturday October 11: Family Day Pon-a-Thon with Travis Boyer at the Contemporary Arts Museum - Houston from 12 to 3. Free

Sunday October 19: Energy: A Texas Legacy Bayou Bend Family Days, always free and open to the public. 1 to 5

Saturday November 1: Family Fiesta Day at Lawndale Art Center from noon to 4. Free.

Sunday November 16: Celebrating Community Bayou Bend Family Days, always free and open to the public. 1 to 5

Sunday December 21: Season of Joy Bayou Bend Family Days, always free and open to the public. 1 to 5

Saturday December 27 and again on January 3, the MFAH's Family Flicks will present "Linnea in Monet's Garden" in the museum's Brown Auditorum. Free

Every Sunday at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston is Sunday Family Zone + Studio from 1 to 4.
Also from 1 to 4 Sketching in the Museum Galleries for the artistically inclined.

Saving the best for last!
This Saturday September 27 from 6 to 10 PM is the Biannual Art Opening at Winter Street, Spring Street and Silver Street Studios. The addresses are, in order, 2101 Winter Street, 1824 Spring Street and 2000 Edwards Street at Silver. 180+ artists will be exhibiting new artwork. St Stephens' own parent and artist, Adrienne Wong, studios at Spring Street and will be exhibiting. It ought to be a great evening!

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