CAMPIN' OUT

I was asked to lead a craft session at a camping-themed birthday party for an 8 year old girl last week and, inspired by our Campfire Stories project, decided to go with having the girls make mini, portable campfires using sticks, stones, crepe paper, feathers, gold ribbon and pretend marshmallows on sticks for roasting. Each one got its own little flickering, electric candle, too, which makes the fires feel genuinely cozy and glowy in the dark. Here are some pictures from the quick test fire I made.  I'm working on a list of summer projects for kids, and I think this little campfire will be included. So fun for pretend camping - outdoors or in! The birthday party itself was completely adorable, and entailed s'mores, a fire pit, a big tent, sleeping bags, lanterns, and a hike through the woods.

Tragically, I have no clear photos of the moment when my cat grabbed the marshmallow stick in her mouth, making it hover over the flames. She refused to repeat this stunt, proving that you get what you pay for when you work with unpaid models. Typical.

ART BRAINS: SPECIAL OFFER

We know the Fall 2013 school year is feeling light years away at the moment, but at Make/Believe, we are already excited for another year of Art Brains after-school classes, and will be spending this summer building new connections with schools in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area for Fall. 

If you'd like to bring Art Brains to your child and his or her friends this Fall (or if you know someone who would), please let us know! We'll be happy to offer free Fall tuition* to any parents help bring Art Brains to a new school by introducing us (electronically) to the school's program coordinator this summer. This applies to parents of existing Art Brainers as well as parents who would like to bring Art Brains to their child's school for the first time. Please click here (or the image above) to apply for this offer by submitting a quick program request. We'll be running this promotion for a limited time over the summer only, so please check it out today to secure free tuition for your kiddo. 

You may now return to your regularly scheduled summer programming. TGIS!

* Please read the offer for full terms.

ART BRAINS 2012/2013 YEARBOOK

Click above to view the full yearbook!

This past school year was Make/Believe's first time running programming directly in schools, and as summer approaches, I could not be more happy about everything we've accomplished during our Fall, Winter, and Spring sessions. I have loved working with all the fantastic students, schools, teachers, and parents we partnered with this year. 

That said, I am thrilled to share the official Art Brains Yearbook from the 2012/2013 school year. Please click the image above to view the full yearbook on our website and see some highlights of the fun, creative work the Art Brainers have been getting into since September! So many thanks to everyone who helped make this year such a rewarding success. I'm already getting excited for the upcoming school year, and hope everyone has a wonderful summer til then!

FREE CHILDRENS' WORKSHOPS AT TRANSFORMER THIS MONTH!

Transformer is a Washington, DC based 501 (c) 3 non-profit, artist-centered organization that connects and promotes emerging artists locally, nationally, and internationally. I'm proud to have worked there for several years in the past coordinating exhibitions and programming, and can say with total honesty Transformer is a truly powerful springboard for emerging artists and emergent expression. Their mission is ambitious, and with a small (but very savvy!) staff, they accomplish more in a year than many larger organizations do in five. I've seen firsthand time and again how Transformer has improved the lives and careers of artists and art-lovers alike. They continually generate exciting and cutting edge programming and exhibitions that bring a fresh perspective to Washington, DC and beyond.  That said, if you don't already know Transformer, you SHOULD (get on it!), and if you have a kid in your life, this June is the perfect time to introduce yourself. 

Transformer recently secured a Sister Cities Grant from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, and will be doing an artistic exchange with China ( !! ), traveling to Beijing with four DC artists who will be exhibiting, meeting fellow artists, and leading children's workshops. Before they leave, they're leading two FREE postcard-making workshops at their gallery space here in DC (1404 P Street NW). The aforementioned artists will be there with a stash of sweet postcard-making materials (I'll be there myself on June 9th, too), and kids are invited to create postcards to be exchanged with the children in Beijing. Please check out the information from their Facebook invite below, and get in touch soon to RSVP and take advantage of this very cool opportunity:


Transformer invites DC children ages 5-10 to participate in International Delivery - Capital Sister Cities Children's Postcard Exchange, a fun & creative workshop for children in Washington, DC to work with DC artists in making handmade postcards for children in Beijing. All materials will be provided, and the workshops are free-of-charge.

SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 10:30am - 11:30am @ Transformer, led by Chandi Kelley and Stephanie Kwak

SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 10:30am - 11:30am @ Transformer, led by Stephanie Kwak and Paul Shortt

Part of Transformer's upcoming collaboration with the Ullens Center for Contemporary Art in Beijing, DC artists Paul Shortt, Chandi Kelley, and Stephanie Kwak will be leading a series of workshops with children at both Transformer & the UCCA to create unique postcards from materials that reflect both cultures as a way to engage the participating children in a cross cultural dialogue that we hope will encourage global awareness among the children of both regions.

If you and your family are interested in attending the DC Children's Workshops and participating in this cultural exchange, please RSVP by emailing Stephanie Kwak at stephanie@transformerdc.org.