Alek J, likes to imagine things.
Recently, he and some other
kids had fun making art at
Crystal Bridges Museum of
American Art in Bentonville.
In a big art studio with lots
of tables and supplies, the kids
made wooden peg people
come to life with markers, yarn,
paint, fabric and of course,
imagination.
The drop-in art classes happen
every weekend and each project
is tied to a different artwork
in the museum. This one was
inspired by a sculpture by
Marisol, called "The Bathers."
It's a scene of people at the
beach.
"I'm imagining what my mom
would look like when she went
to the beach. Terrible hair,"
7-year-old Alek said of the blue
yarn hair on his creation. "I just
picked a color and went with
it. I did the mouth with a paint
marker."
Art instructor Kim Ly loves
helping kids learn about art
while having fun. For this project
she asked kids to start by
imagining a favorite vacation.
"It could be at home,
anywhere, it could be across
the world," Kim said. "We're
using these wooden pegs for
our sculptures. It gives everyone
the chance to develop their
own character for their dream
vacation."
Josh M. made a peg character
of himself, which looked a little
like a superhero.
"I'm making my guy go to
school," second-grader Josh
said.
While school isn't everyone's
idea of a dream vacation, Josh
admitted he thinks school is fun.
He also thinks it would be fun
to be an artist. Art making was
his favorite part of visiting the
museum with his family.
Most of the kids in the class
had sisters, moms, grandmas,
aunts or cousins with them.
None of them could resist the
fun of creating the little peg
people.
"We usually get 6-12 year
olds, but the projects are not
limited to that age group," Kim
pointed out. "Adults have fun
making these projects too."
Activity cards outside the
studio and at the front desk
invite kids to take a closer look
at a piece of art in the museum.
"That sometimes leads
families down here to the studio
Kids create cool art
at Crystal Bridges
By Karen Rice • krice@nwadg.com
36 • Off icial Kids Mag • OC T & NOV 2018
