This term the group really wanted to do a construction project and decided on a bird house/adventure zone! We started by brainstorming what birds might need: sticks birdseed and other food water nests shelter and want: flowers nests at different levels flying perches roof windows and doors stairs trampoline fountain swing Then they drew up … Continue reading
What’s new?
Piano lesson schedule is all set and ready to go! If you are interested in lessons contact me asap as I only have a couple of spots left! CHI Kids classes starting soon at Lord Tennyson and Henry Hudson. Creative Expressions starting soon at Lord Tennyson … Continue reading
Simplicity!
Finger painting. At first glance there’s not much to it. It’s simple…and messy. Let’s look again… Sensory exploration with hands, fingers…faces? The children are seeking out knowledge through their own investigations. Little to no teacher direction is needed. Fine motor skills. The children are testing their increasing finger dexterity and motor control by using their … Continue reading
Ted Harrison Study
This spring we studied the life and art of Ted Harrison, including his early work in England, the development of his artistic style in Canada’s North and the subtle changes in his art after his move to Vancouver Island. We decided to create our own work based on Harrison’s style using oil pastel resist with a … Continue reading
Practice Smarter!
With the start of the new school year your child is ready to get back to piano lessons, or maybe starting lessons for the first time. As many of you have come to realize, lessons are the easy part – it’s the nagging that comes with practicing that you and your child have come to dread. We … Continue reading
Art Camp #3: A Fantasy World!
Our final week of Art Camp for the summer was a study of different ways of creating characters through puppets, masks and drama. First we told lots of stories and discussed characters and plot. Then we chose a few stories to dramatize ourselves. We started simply with a paper bag puppet version of “The Three … Continue reading
Art Camp #2: The Natural World
In our second week of Art Camp we explored the world around us, using nature as both materials and inspiration for our work. We used leaves for leaf rubbings, made our own paint from leaves, flowers and fruit and turned leaves, pine needles and dandelions into different textured paintbrushes. We also represented the wonders of … Continue reading
Around the World!
The first of three weeks of Art Camps at Kitsilano Community Centre, this week we ventured around the world! We sampled a variety of arts and cultures, including pinatas, folk art piggy banks, folk tales and musical instruments from Mexico; rangoli and bhangra dancing from India; abstract art representing fireworks from China; wax resist “cloth” from Nigeria, music from Senegal … Continue reading
Preschool Creative Expressions
We started something new at Kitsilano Community Centre this past spring with a new preschool-aged Creative Expressions class. The children tried different art projects each week where the emphasis was on the process of discovering and exploring new materials and techniques. Matisse, Van Gogh and Picasso were some of our favourite artists to learn about. We also … Continue reading
Creative Expressions Summer Camps!!
For the first time Creative Expressions Summer Camps will be held at Kitsilano Community Centre in Vancouver! These theme-based arts programs will combine visual art, drama, movement, creative writing/storytelling and music. Within each theme we will look at different sources of inspiration, including books, art, the world around us and found/repurposed materials. July 13-17 – … Continue reading