This page highlights some of the work created by the many young artists who visit the Arts Bus. Check back frequently to view new entries.
Recently the bus visited the Brookfield Library. Artist Jennie Harriman presented an activity which incorporated art and science. Have a look below at some of the wonderful works of art that were created. If you would like to know how to make the kind of paintings you see below, all you need to do is: place a piece of Plexiglas on top of a couple of bricks, or any other object that will elevate the Plexiglas high enough so you can move your hand underneath (you can use regular glass too, just as long as the edges are not sharp!). Place a piece of paper on the Plexiglas. Tempra paints work best for the next part: squeeze about a half-dollar size of paint out of the bottle onto the paper--as many colors as you like, and as many "dollops" you want, anywhere you want on the paper. Then--and here is the really fun part--take two small magnets (you can get these at just about any hardware store), and place one magnet on top of the paper with the paint, and the other magnet on the underside of the Plexiglas, right below the magnet on top. Move the magnets around and through the paint, and see what you come up with!
The Bus Visits Camp Red Clover in Barnard
In August of 2011 the Bus made a stop at Camp Red Clover in Barnard and a really good time was had by all! Artist-Instructor Sarah Matzke, intern Mallie Roark and project director Cynthia Sandusky worked with the camp kids on make-up and costumes, and then the kids improvised mini-plays with the characters they had developed. Have a look!
Kids! Email us with your comments, ideas, artwork!
Home-Made Play Dough You Can Make with Mom or Dad
Did you know that you can make home-made play dough right in your own kitchen? It doesn't take long, and lasts for months if kept in a air tight container! Just follow the easy directions below. . .be sure and ask Mom or Dad to join in on the fun as you will need to cook this dough on the stove.
Ingredients:
3 cups of flour
1 cup of salt (YES! You need a whole cup of salt--this is what preserves the dough and makes it last!)
6 teaspoons cream of tartar
3 cups of water
3 tablespoons of vegetable oil
5 to 6 drops of liquid food coloring
Mix flour, salt and cream of tartar in a sauce pan. Blend water, oil and food coloring in a bowl, then add to the sauce pan. Cook over medium heat until mixture thickens (it will get very thick, and you must be careful not to let it stick to the pan as it could burn--Mom or Dad should supervise this step for sure!). Cook for five minutes, turning down the heat a little if the dough begins to stick. It is ready when it forms a nice, firm ball. Turn dough out on kitchen counter or cutting board and knead for a few minutes, or until the dough is very smooth (about 2 or 3 minutes). You can add flour while kneading if dough is sticky, but not too much!--just a little at a time. (To knead your dough, press the heal of your hand up against the dough and push, then pull the dough back, fold it over, and press the heal of your hand up against the dough again. Repeat for the 3 or 4 minutes). Place dough in an air tight container. No need to put in the fridge, though you should keep it out of the sun, and not let it get too hot or too cold.
Due to the high salt content, this play dough should be kept away from pets.
Ingredients:
3 cups of flour
1 cup of salt (YES! You need a whole cup of salt--this is what preserves the dough and makes it last!)
6 teaspoons cream of tartar
3 cups of water
3 tablespoons of vegetable oil
5 to 6 drops of liquid food coloring
Mix flour, salt and cream of tartar in a sauce pan. Blend water, oil and food coloring in a bowl, then add to the sauce pan. Cook over medium heat until mixture thickens (it will get very thick, and you must be careful not to let it stick to the pan as it could burn--Mom or Dad should supervise this step for sure!). Cook for five minutes, turning down the heat a little if the dough begins to stick. It is ready when it forms a nice, firm ball. Turn dough out on kitchen counter or cutting board and knead for a few minutes, or until the dough is very smooth (about 2 or 3 minutes). You can add flour while kneading if dough is sticky, but not too much!--just a little at a time. (To knead your dough, press the heal of your hand up against the dough and push, then pull the dough back, fold it over, and press the heal of your hand up against the dough again. Repeat for the 3 or 4 minutes). Place dough in an air tight container. No need to put in the fridge, though you should keep it out of the sun, and not let it get too hot or too cold.
Due to the high salt content, this play dough should be kept away from pets.
A Week of Theater at Braintree Elementary School
During the first week of May, 2011, the Arts Bus went to Braintree Elementary School, with guest artist Sequana Skye, to help grades K - 3 write and perform three "mini-plays". Not only did the students write the plays, they designed and applied the make-up, designed the costumes, did all the "tech" work, and then performed their plays before an enthusiastic audience. It was an amazing experience for all involved, and the Arts Bus would like to thank the staff and teachers at Braintree Elementary School for allowing us to come to their school and try out this unusual, experimental exercise in theater education where the young participants literally get to "put on the show!" This event was funded by a grant from the Vermont Arts Council, for which were are most grateful! Below are some pictures from the event.
The Arts Bus Project / c/o Kimball Public Library, 67 Main Street, Randolph, VT 05060 / 802-728-5073 / artsbus@Chandler-arts.org