Category: Children’s Summer Art Programs

Summer Art Enrichment 2018

Posted on by Logan Wheeler

Summer Art Enrichment Program 2018

The Kent Historical Society will offer five weeks of Art Enrichment Programs for children this summer. There will be opportunities for young artists from ages 5 to 12 to explore their artistic talents. This year will feature new classes in a variety of mediums and new instructor

The Historical Society wants to foster arts education for young people in our area to honor the memory of George Laurence Nelson, a pre-eminent 20th Century artist known for his portraits, landscapes and florals, who lived at Seven Hearths for many years and bequeathed his 18th century home to the Kent Historical Society to operate as a museum.

Some comments from parents: “The instructor was great and the projects were so creative.” “She enjoyed the group creation of comics. The creative interaction was fun for her.” “She enjoyed the chance to immerse herself in painting.”

KHS believes that arts education and other forms of cultural enrichment are essential to a young person’s whole and healthy development. The Society offers Summer Arts Enrichment to encourage children’s innate creativity and boost creative thinking and problem solving, while expanding their experience and appreciation of the arts.

Classes take place in the Kent Historical Society’s “Art Barn,” an indoor/outdoor space on the campus of the Historical Society’s Seven Hearths property, facing gardens and a woodland that will be used as extended classroom space. At the culmination of each class there will be an exhibition to allow parents and family to see all of the creations completed through the week.

Registration is not complete until payment is received, either by check or online. Space is limited in each class. Fees are $110 for non-members and $100 for members per session. Join as a Family member for $50. There is no discount for partial week attendance.

Final registration deadline is June 12. Checks to Kent Historical Society may be mailed to KHS, Art Enrichment Program, PO Box 651, Kent, CT 06757.

Cancellation Policy

Refunds for Summer Art Enrichment will only be made up until 30 days before the child’s class begins, if we are able to fill the space with another applicant, less a $30 deposit/administrative fee. Membership fees are not refundable.

Week 1 Sessions Cancelled (due to low enrollment)

Week 2 Sessions Cancelled (due to low enrollment)

 

Week 3 What the Art? for ages 5-7, mornings 9 am to noon, July 16-20

Children will explore interesting ways to create something new, like torn paper, collage, shapes and colors, everyday items, photos, and other alternative mediums. We’ll use picture books as inspiration from celebrated illustrators such as Eric Carle and Leo Lionni. Then, expand to other methods, and create artwork based on our own stories. Combining different styles will allow students to create a look of their own. This class is led by Wendy Clery, who has a love of exploring her own creativity and is the owner of Illuminate Life CT, which offers creative-based coaching through classes and workshops. She previously taught art to local veterans at the Danbury Veteran’s Center.

Week 3 Homes of the Wee Folk for ages 8-12, afternoons 1-4 pm, July 16-20

Learning aspects of architecture and sculpture, students will imagine a tiny woodland creature and build a home based on its needs and likes. We will plan out the structure by sketching ideas, then use clay, sticks, stone, plants, and/or found objects to make it come to life. Students will include accessories and plants to create a piece of their creature’s world. If weather permits, we will use the garden for a fun photo shoot. Students will use their sketchbooks all week long to imagine what the structure could be and transform their ideas into reality. This class is also led by Wendy Clery. She is modeling this session on a workshop that she’s offered to children in the New Milford area.

Week 4 Transforming Paper Into Art for ages 5-8, mornings 9 am to noon, July 23-27

Joy Gaiser is a retired music and special education teacher and was honored to be chosen the Teacher of the Year in New Milford for the 2010-11 school year.  She also was the president of the New Milford Historical Society for 7 years and ran the summer colonial crafts program at their one-room schoolhouse with a fellow teacher.  She will teach the children to make paper from recycled paper, learn about color utilizing a variety of mediums such as crayons, markers, and watercolors and techniques such as mosaic resist. They will also do some creative paper folding activities and have a chance to embroider one of their own drawings or sew a catnip mouse if they prefer.  Each child will be given a sketchbook to explore their own creative ideas.

Week 4 The Art of Paper: Creating, Using, Folding for ages 8-12, afternoons 1-4 pm, July 23-27

Joy Gaiser will also lead these students in paper making from recycled paper, petals, glitter, grass, etc. She will show the children how to turn this paper into greeting cards and thank you notes.  Calligraphy will be introduced, and each child will receive a calligraphy pen. The class will make an agamograph with premade pictures or pictures that they created themselves which will require careful measuring, folding, and cutting. They will learn to draw some 3-D shapes and designs which will include a review of the color wheel and how to use it.  A variety of mediums will be used throughout the week and ways to use each.  Each child will design a simple stencil to use on a papier mache item they decorate, and each will be given a sketchbook to make notes and for their own ideas and sketches.

Week 5 Session Cancelled (due to low enrollment)

Online Registration Here

Summer Art Enrichment Registration

Posted on by Logan Wheeler

Register Below With Payment link

Select session (either member or nonmember) and Click add to cart. Scroll to bottom for checkout.

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2017 Summer Art Enrichment: another success!

Posted on by Logan Wheeler

2017 Summer Art Enrichment: another success!

The Society enjoyed another successful Summer Art Enrichment program educating youngsters in June and July with a variety of professional artists as instructors.

The organizers expanded the program to a full four weeks this year and several new instructors contributed their talents, including Sam Alford, an illustrator and animation artist, Albert Coffill, retired Kent Center School art teacher, and Gabriella Martinez, an art student at the Hartford Art School.  We also welcomed back Andy Richards, who is the head of the Visual Arts Department at The Gunnery school.

Some comments from parents: “The instructor was great and the projects were so creative.” “She enjoyed the group creation of comics. The creative interaction was fun for her.” “She enjoyed the chance to immerse herself in painting.”

There were a total of six different weekly sessions of instruction and 53 participants were involved. Many of the sessions also got a tour of the Seven Hearths Museum thanks to Curator Marge Smith.

At the end of each week, there was an art show presenting each child’s work and parents, grandparents and friends enjoyed seeing all the work on display.

“We continue to be awed by the high quality of art instruction that the Summer Art Enrichment students are receiving through this program,” said Melissa Roth Cherniske, one of the trustees that helped organize the program. 

“It was so nice to see the Art Barn buzzing with artistic activity. We started this to pay homage to George Laurence Nelson. I’m sure that he and Helen would be so happy and proud to see the program we have developed ” said trustee Lynn Mellis Worthington, one of the volunteers who helped organize the program.

The Society is thrilled to have the Art Barn in use to allow children to develop their artistic skills.  George Laurence Nelson gave art lessons in various forms over the years and so we believe our art instruction continues his legacy.

For a full description of the sessions, go here.

Interested in Summer Art Enrichment in 2018? Contact the Society’s organizers.

Images from the 2017 sessions:

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Vampires in New England

Posted on by Logan Wheeler

October 16 Sunday Series talk to focus on
“Vampires in New England”

Vampire folk beliefs go back to the 18th century in Connecticut, and Dr. Nicholas Bellantoni has archaeological evidence that he’ll share to illuminate beliefs about… the undead.

On Sunday, October 16, 2016, at 2:00 PM at the Kent Town Hall, Dr. Nicholas Bellantoni recently retired Connecticut State Archaeologist, will present some highlights of his own research at Colonial gravesites, exploring how fear and superstition led New Englanders, particularly those around Jewett City, CT, to take drastic measures with burial customs — they didn’t want anyone returning from the grave. The archaeologist will discuss the sources of belief in vampires and the undercurrent of fear of the undead. Bones, graves and history reveal the myth and fact of each situation.

Dr. Bellantoni’s talk will follow a brief Annual Meeting of the Kent Historical Society. There will be an election of trustees and officers, as well as a vote to amend the organization’s bylaws. The Kent Historical Society sponsors the Sunday Series every other month September through May. Free admission for members; $5 suggested donation for non-members.

For more information please call 860.927.4587.

 

2016 Summer Art Enrichment: another success!

Posted on by Logan Wheeler

2016 Summer Art Enrichment: another success!

The Society enjoyed another successful Summer Art Enrichment program educating youngsters with an array of professional artists as instructors.

The organizers expanded the program and again added a new teacher, Lilly Rand Barnett. There were three different teachers involved in five weekly sessions of instruction and 46 participants were instructed. Each session also got a tour of the Seven Hearths Museum thanks to Curator Marge Smith.

At the end of each week, there was an art show presenting each child’s work and parents, grandparents and friends enjoyed seeing all the work on display.

“We are pleased by the high quality of art instruction that is being provided through this program,” said trustee Lynn Mellis Worthington, one of the volunteers who helped organize the program.

“It was so nice to see George Laurence Nelson’s property so active with lots of young artists flowing with creativity.  He and Helen would be so happy and proud to see the program we have developed ” said Melissa Roth Cherniske, another one of the trustees that helped organize the program.  

Barnett, who is the art teacher at Sharon Center School, instructed students in a wide variety of artistic mediums.  Some of the projects included sewing of 3D sculptures, embroidery, painting and plaster mask making. She offered both a morning and afternoon session for different ages.  Each of the students got their own sketchbook and a challenge to continue to draw in it during their entire summer.  

Cheryl Moore, chairman of the Art Department at South Kent School, returned for her third year and instructed 5 to 7 year olds. Once again her young students explored color in a variety of ways, including using a variety of watercolor techniques.

Andy Richards, chairman of the Visual Arts Department at The Gunnery school in Washington, led sessions in drawing and painting. His sessions always include a critique element, in which students analyze each other’s work and he provides guidance and encouragement.

Following the sessions, the Society surveyed the parents to get feedback on each class. One parent wrote, “My daughter talks about this camp non-stop. She had so much fun. She was very excited to learn to sew and really enjoyed the art show at the end of the week.” Another parent wrote, “He loved working with different media and creating projects using multiple methods. He also loved seeing the Historical Society and learning about it.”

The Society is thrilled to have the Art Barn in use to allow children to develop their artistic skills.  George Laurence Nelson gave art lessons in various forms over the years and so we believe our art instruction continues his legacy.

 

“Camps of Kent” Wins Award of Merit

Posted on by Logan Wheeler

“Camps of Kent” Exhibit Wins CLHO Award of Merit

 

The Kent Historical Society 2015 Exhibit, “Camps of Kent: Memories of Summer” has been honored by the Connecticut League of History Organizations with their Award of Merit. The award letter declared, “The Committee highly commends the Kent Historical Society for creating an exhibit that explored this previously undocumented aspect of the town’s history. The committee was impressed with the amount of original research that was conducted and the extra effort that was made to reach out to the community to collect and share the stories and artifacts of both the camps and the campers who came to Kent.”

Marge Smith and Melissa Cherniske co-curated this exhibit  and did a tremendous job, particularly guest curator Melissa Cherniske. Her personal experience and passion for the camp experience shone through every facet of the exhibit.

For more information on the award-winning exhibit please click here.

 

Summer Art Enrichment Scholarship

Posted on by Logan Wheeler

Summer Art Enrichment Scholarship

The Kent Historical Society is offering a need-based scholarship to students at the Summer Art Enrichment program, thanks to a grant from KentPresents.

Download Scholarship Form (pdf version). Email or mail the form to KHS Summer Art Scholarship, PO Box 651, Kent, CT 06757.

KHS is pleased to be among the 26 non-profit organizations serving Litchfield County receiving funds from KentPresents, the annual ideas festival that was first held in Kent during August 2015.

All groups receiving awards provide social and emergency services, housing, educational and economic opportunities and enhance the cultural and artistic lives of low and moderate income individuals and families in Kent and nearby communities. In selecting the recipients, special emphasis was placed on basic needs, emergency services and education programs, such as the art education program that the Kent Historical Society provides.

KentPresents grant to KHS for Art Enrichment

Posted on by Logan Wheeler

KentPresents Grants $1,000 for Art Enrichment
to the Kent Historical Society

The Kent Historical Society is among 26 non-profit organizations serving Litchfield County receiving funds from KentPresents, the annual ideas festival whose inaugural event was held in Kent during August 2015.

The $1,000 grant will be used to provide need-based scholarships for the Kent Historical Society’s Art Enrichment Program. The summer art program has been offered to children for the past two summers and has proven quite popular.

Michael Everett, President of the Kent Historical Society Board, said, “This grant will enable us to bring more children to our popular arts program who may not otherwise been able to afford our program. Our program provides many stimulating art classes to children during the summer break. Children with a passion for art, who might not otherwise be able to attend, will now have access to this fun program.”

An application for the scholarship is now available.

All groups receiving awards provide social and emergency services, housing, educational and economic opportunities and enhance the cultural and artistic lives of low and moderate income individuals and families in Kent and nearby communities. In selecting the recipients, special emphasis was placed on basic needs, emergency services and education programs, such as the art education program that the Kent Historical Society provides.

“We are very pleased that in our first year KentPresents has been able to make meaningful grants to so many organizations,” said Donna and Ben Rosen of Kent, founders and guiding spirits of KentPresents. “The individual grants range in size from 1% of an organization’s annual fund-raising to 46%. As we grow in the years to come we hope to continue to support need-based groups that help people in our communities to thrive.”

The inaugural KentPresents, held at the Kent School August 13-15, brought together 70 leaders in a variety of fields for cultural and intellectual stimulation. The Rosens will shortly announce dates and details for KentPresents 2016.

The Rosens are members of the Kent Historical Society. Mr. Rosen is chairman emeritus of the California Institute of Technology; chairman emeritus of Compaq Computer; a former venture capitalist; currently on boards of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (emeritus) and New York Philharmonic (emeritus); former Met Opera board member; and former Columbia Business School board chairman. Mrs. Rosen was a longtime contemporary art gallery owner in New Orleans, and is now active in philanthropy, the visual arts, and serves on boards of the Whitney Museum of American Art, New Orleans Museum of Art and the American Friends of the British Museum.

For further information visit the KentPresents website at www.kentpresents.org. 

The Kent Historical Society’s mission is to collect, preserve, interpret and present the rich history of Kent as well as to provide educational and research material to enrich the public understanding of Kent’s artistic and cultural heritage. For more information, contact: Brian Thomas, Executive Director, 860-927-4587, director@kenthistoricalsociety.org.

Summer Art Enrichment 2015

Posted on by Logan Wheeler

SUMMER ART ENRICHMENT

The Kent Historical Society offered three weeks of Art Enrichment Programs for children in July 2015. Morning sessions had children exploring color through fine art in a variety of mediums and then focused on drawing. The afternoon sessions delved into painting.

The Historical Society wants to foster arts education for young people in our area to honor the memory of George Laurence Nelson, a pre-eminent 20th Century artist known for his portraits, landscapes and florals, who lived at Seven Hearths for many years and bequeathed his 18th century home to the Kent Historical Society to operate as a museum.   

KHS believes that arts education and other forms of cultural enrichment are essential to a young person’s whole and healthy development. The Society offers Summer Arts Enrichment to encourage children’s innate creativity and boost creative thinking and problem solving, while expanding their experience and appreciation of the arts.

Classes took place in the Kent Historical Society’s “Art Barn,” an indoor/outdoor space on the campus of the Historical Society’s Seven Hearths property, facing gardens and a woodland that is used as extended classroom space. At the culmination of each class there was an exhibition to allow parents and family to see all of the creations completed through the week.  On that day, the museum was open to view the exhibition at the time “Camps of Kent.”

KHS member families have priority registration and discounted fees. Join as a Family member for $35.
COLOR SPLASH I ~ Art instructor Cheryl Moore returned to KHS’ Summer Art Enrichment program to focus on color. Moore is a respected artist and a 33-year teacher, who knows how to draw out artistic talents from her students. She is chairman of the Art Department at South Kent School and has offered a number of special workshops for younger children over the years. The KHS sessions focused on exploring color through painting. The projects included “Swipe Art” that involves using a limited palette of color dots that are swirled together to create unique images; “Underwater Watercolor” which uses a technique that involves alcohol to create water bubbles; watercolor abstract flowers were painted; leaf prints were created using large leaves; and dot painting was employed using a technique similar to that used by renowned artist Vance Kirkland.


Color Splash II – This week was also led by Cheryl Moore and was dedicated to exploring mixed media with a variety of materials, including recyclable papers, and featured painting with watercolor and some acrylic paints. She exposed the young artists to a variety of artistic styles, cultural interpretations, and mediums. Some of the projects were a mixed media self-portrait, tissue paper collage flowers, a landscape using recycled materials, fish prints using the Gyotaku style, and several watercolor paintings.

Drawing –This drawing class was led by Andy Richards, who is a native of Kent and currently the chairman of the Visual Arts Department at The Gunnery School in Washington. He instructed students in drawing as a way to explore their creativity and use their imagination. Exploring one’s ideas visually with drawing is a wonderful way to communicate and share a vision. The central idea was for students to have fun and learn that drawing and the visual arts are a positive learning experience. Students worked with pencil, markers, charcoal and pastel on paper, learning techniques for each and worked on an exercise that involved drawing their favorite place – anything from a house, a room or even a treehouse. Pastels allowed students to work with color and see how different colors can affect the mood of the drawing.


Painting –Painting can be a lifelong activity, whether as a professional or as a hobbyist. Learning about color and the wonderful effect it has on people can help guide your painting process. Andy Richards lead this program as well, and covered the Principles of Design and the Elements of Design with the idea that knowledge of these will help the student to understand how to take his or her imagination and put it onto canvas. Students started with watercolors and moved on to working with acrylics.  One of the projects was an exercise that involved splattering paint and then looking for creatures that can be developed from the shapes created by the splatters.

 KHS expects to offer this program again in Summer 2016.

Summer Art Enrichment delights children

Posted on by Logan Wheeler

Summer Art Enrichment delights children

The children’s Summer Art Enrichment program was expanded this year and an additional teacher was added to be able to offer four different sessions during three weeks in July.

At the end of each week, there was an art show present each child’s work. Following the program KHS surveyed parents and was pleased to learn that children were enthusiastic about what they had learned and enjoyed the activities presented. One parent wrote, “She found it interesting that you might start a project one way and it might end up being something quite different.” Another parent commented that while her child didn’t say a whole lot about the activities, “she hopped out of bed every morning excited to go to class!”

Images from the 2015 sessions