PHILADELPHIA — Building community through the exploration of art and nature, Woodmere Art Museum in historic Chestnut Hill offers hands-on opportunities for children in the coming months meant to inspire and develop budding artists’ skills and creativity.
Beginning May 11, Woodmere presents Family Fun in the Studio: Classic Tales, a six-week series of Saturday afternoon workshops geared toward children ages 4 to 10. Led in the studio by Woodmere’s staff of artists and educators, the series includes reading and art-making inspired by classic tales like Beauty and the Beast (creating a handheld mirror frame), Little Red Riding Hood (making a “Wolf and Red” mobile) and Aladdin (designing a flying carpet). Each class offers a new, fun activity for the whole family; children must be accompanied by an adult. (Full schedule follows below.)
On view May 19-Aug. 11, the Helen Millard Children’s Gallery exhibition Prints Link features prints by students from public, charter and independent schools, kindergarten to college age. This artwork was created through Prints Link Philadelphia, a collaboration of art educators in the Philadelphia region who share the excitement and versatility of printmaking with students of all ages.
Thanks to Woodmere’s annual Children’s Garden Community Program, summer is a time for art, gardening, movies, fun and, of course, water balloon fights. For the first time, the community project (running Monday-Friday, July 8-Aug. 2, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.) offers four distinct weekly programs surrounding the theme of Fanciful Tales: Each week, a new story will be the genesis of a magical project culminating in unique outdoor sculptures to be installed in Woodmere’s Children’s Garden. Alice in Wonderland will inspire a massive deck of cards; Gulliver’s Travels will arouse the need for giant flowers; Anansi and other tales will inspire large magical pots; and E.S. Nesbit’s Book of Dragons will stimulate the construction of a massive enchanted book. Children will have the opportunity to learn about Woodmere’s butterfly garden and get their hands dirty as they discover a bit about nature. Afterward, with the accompanying Kid Cinema program, children can relax and watch a movie. (Full schedule follows below.)
Ongoing throughout the year are classes for children and teens to explore and develop their skills in printmaking, animation, watercolor, clay construction, drawing, painting, Japanese crafts and more. These professional classes foster the creative talents of the next generation of Philadelphia art and artists, tying into the museum’s central mission. A full course listing is available at woodmereartmuseum.org.
Finally, Woodmere is offering something new for its youngest visitors. Seaside Yoga Stories for Youngsters (Tuesdays in July) is designed for children ages 3 to 5 and their caregivers, and uses themed picture books, songs and games to introduce children to yoga.
Woodmere Art Museum is located at 9201 Germantown Avenue. Museum hours are: Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m.–8:45 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. For more information, visit woodmereartmuseum.orgor call 215-247-0476.
SCHEDULE OF FAMILY PROGRAMS
FAMILY FUN IN THE STUDIO: CLASSIC TALES
Saturdays, May 11-June 22, 12:30-2:30 p.m.
$15 per class ($10 members), ages 4-10 (must be accompanied by an adult)
Preregistration is suggested. Pick up ticket at front desk and proceed to studio.
May 11 | The Emperor’s New Suit: Design a fashionable crown for a vain king.
May 18 | Stuart Little: Make a boat to sail in Central Park.
June 1 | Aladdin: Design a flying carpet.
June 8 | Beauty and the Beast: Create a handheld mirror frame.
June 15 | Little Red Riding Hood: Make a “Wolf and Red” mobile.
June 22 | Thumbelina: Design a tulip home for a tiny person.
EXHIBITION: PRINTS LINK
May 19-August 11, 2013, free
Opening Reception: Sun., May 19, 2-4 p.m.
Helen Millard Children’s Gallery
CHILDREN’S GARDEN COMMUNITY PROGRAM: FANCIFUL TALES
Monday-Friday, July 8-Aug. 2 (four weeks), 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
*$60 per week ($50 for members), ages 8-18
July 8-12 |Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland: Massive deck of cards.
July 15-19 | Gulliver’s Travels: Giant flowers
July 22-26 |Anansi: The Trickster Spider: Large magical pots
July 29-Aug. 2 |The Book of Dragons: Massive enchanted book.
*Scholarships available per recommendation of art teacher. Call 215-247-0948 to learn more.
KID CINEMA
Monday-Friday, July 8-Aug. 2, 2:30-4 p.m.
$3 per movie, all ages
For movie listings, visit woodmereartmuseum.org.
INDIVIDUAL CHILDREN’S ART CLASSES
July-August 2013
Scholarships available; call 215-247-0948 to learn more.
SEASIDE YOGA STORIES FOR YOUNGSTERS
Tuesdays: July 9, 16, 23 and 30, 10-10:30 a.m.
$15 ($10 members) per visit, ages 3-5 (must be accompanied by an adult