Sculpture Week!!

Okay, this was by far the best week we had. These kids really pushed the bar with their imaginations. They made games, castles, ponds, bridges, the list goes on.

They had so much to say about their pieces that I thought it fitting for each of them to "present" to the class. Needless to say we were impressed with how they articulated their art and it's function, not to mention they were all very interested in each others works!

More of Art Camp

Texture week is always so exciting. We provided the artists with fabric for tapestries and yarn along with some beads for a splash of embellishment. We ended up with mountains made from denim and flying fish in the sky...that was just one piece.

For the other projects they worked with yarn, felt, some wire and canvas pillows and messenger bags.

The best thing about this week was the look on their faces when they saw their finished pieces. Some of them worked on their project for 3 to 4 days! Keep in mind some of this artists were 4 to 5 years old.

Next week, my favorite: SCULPTURE!

Summer Camp

I am so behind with our studio blogging and we are already in our second week of Summer Camp!

We knocked out our nature week with a very impressive bunch of artists. Making dream catchers out of beans and vases out of sticks, we talked about the world around us and what we like the best. Some favorites were: bird watching, fishing, crafting with sticks (loved that one), playing at the beach, planting flowers and...drum roll please...RECYCLING!!! Yes, these kids live in Oak Park! Just wait until our last week of camp, we are going to recycle their little hearts out :-)

Here are a few pictures of the busy artists at work.

PLAY! LEARN! LAUGH!

Today was the second day of our Mini Session for Passport 2 Preschool. We have a handful of new faces and many returning Magical Minds alumni.

I was so proud of the new artists, they braved the fear of parental separation and embraced the studio and their new friends.

We encourage play in addition to creating art, the two go hand in hand. Today we discussed the many differences and similarities we share. We also talked about things we liked about on another and things we like to do...

As you will see, our cute little wooden chairs have been turned upside down and we hosted (or rather the children hosted) an indoor playground! Slides anyone?

Afterward we broke out the clay and they all ran to the table to start building...a cake, a bridge, a sky...

It was a great day!

Building, Inventing, Team work, Cooperation - FUN!

Every session we utilize our l,500 square feet of space and let the kids really move around. But first, we talk about what they are about to do. This week:

BUILD and PAINT. HELP ONE ANOTHER. PROBLEM SOLVE.

We introduce new topics each week and base it on a book or various examples. A lot of discussion comes about and our project grows. So when you look at these pictures of kids painting boxes, moving boxes and using rollers it doesn't stop there. At the end of the class they have mastered stacking, balancing, painting with adult rollers, working as a team and cooperating. They also learn that they can build beyond paper, crayons and markers.

A transformation occurs and it's Magical!

Recycle...

We want to thank all you wonderful recyclers for filling our storage room up with materials! You will see the results of our hard work during summer camp.

Summer camp is just about full and our regular class schedule will be up soon, I promise!!

Here are a few pictures to hold you off until camp!

Comic Book Drawing

Most of you know that we offer a fantastic Comic Book Drawing class :-) I say that because I get rave reviews from parents and kids alike. I'd like to give credit where credit is due, so I'd like to thank Anne Marie and Robert for their combined efforts in making this class something special for the kids.

Not only do they love to teach comic book drawing, they go beyond the teaching and provide pure joy. They've published a comic book for their students and it was a hit! Imagine seeing your comic in magazine format? Take a look...

Why is it so Magical?

Today I found myself wondering why I take on so much at once. I mean did I really need to open an art studio? My children are still so young and I find myself always juggling things, running around, rushing, rushing, rushing! My life has changed since Magical Minds Studio was born. But really, how can I have regrets when I see all the bright eyes and smiling faces. When I hear the giggles and the "oh wow," "look what I did!" Those words and sounds are so familiar to me, they were first heard at home. My children are my inspiration. Art is helping them nourish who they will be tomorrow. Who they can be if they are confident and secure and above all CREATIVE!

My son is in Kindergarten and was lucky enough to have his school selected to host an artist. I was thrilled when I saw the name on the sheet that came home. Sallie Wolf, a local artist and children's book author. Every time Sallie demonstrated watercolor he would come home and describe in detail how they did it. She read to them and talked about many subjects, he has requested we purchase all her books. This was all wonderful but what really impressed me and warmed my heart was that he wanted to give her something back. "She made me have a really good day and she said she really liked my colors." I don't think we realize how important those words can be for a young child. When my son came home from a public school, sharing his special moment I had new hope. I wish more opportunities like that can be offered to schools. Those experiences are invaluable. Thanks to the Oak Park Educational Foundation for their Art Start Program and understanding the value of art.

We will now be working on a "book of birds" for Sallie along with a bird house since she loves birds (according to my son). I'll post pictures when it's all done. We'll be hand delivering her gifts to Calypso Moon Studio, where her studio resides, right down the street from Magical Minds. He also wants to invite her to his birthday party so she can run a workshop!

Thank you Sallie, for not only inspiring my son to be kind, but for sharing your gift of art and love of literature. We are fans.

Summer Camp

Dare I say "summer" when there is still snow on the ground? Why not, it's something to look forward to right? Spring Break is just around the corner and school will be out by the second week of June. Many of us have started planning already.

We are looking forward to seeing familar faces along with new ones this summer. Make sure to register now for summer camp. You can send me an email at haj@magicalmindsstudio.com or give us a call: 708-948-7934.

Check our website for details on summer camp

Winter Classes are in Session

Wow! This has been an incredible session so far. Classes are filled up to the point where we were turning people away! Could it be that people have realized we are not just an 'art studio' that uses paint, markers, glue and such? Whatever the case, we are happy and pumped to try out more cool lessons with our artists.

We've been experimenting with color and texture, next we'll venture into musical instruments, honing in on our sense of sound. It's all about how we fit into the world and how it works for us. The closer we get children to exploration the better they become at dealing with new situations and experiences.

So when you think about Magical Minds Studio, don't think its the art your kids get at preschool, or elementary school. Because it's not. It's art kids get from the real world, the world they get to embellish and create. We nourish the foundation of our future scientists, mathematicians, architects, doctors, astronauts...this list goes on!