Art is for everyone · • Nature doodling & coloring • Drop-in crafts or Make & Take •...

Art is for everyone

Brain food

It’s FUN!Inspires connections

Fosters appreciation

1. I’m not an artist

2. I don’t have supplies

3. I have no budget

5. I’m not sure I have an audience

4. There’s no space

6. I’ll think of more…give me time

1. I’m not an artist

What does it take to draw?

What does it take to draw?

An artist creates art. It’s a state of mind.

An artist creates art. It’s a state of mind.What makes an artist an artist? You or your audience: you are the same.

Positive Ross-like Affirmations

• We all have the power of observation (which can be honed)• It’s not all about YOU• Be one with your audience: your intimidations might be theirs• Art is a teachable and learnable activity

C h a n n e l y o u r i n n e r

R o s s !

You: the leader and hostWhat is your role?

What you provide:

• The goal. What do you want people to take away?

• Program format: Series? Tutorial? One-time workshop? (consider your

desired audience)

• The avenue to new and positive experiences.

• Responsiveness. Your audience will guide you, if you’re attentive to them.

• Sincerity and Support. Sharing in a new or personal experience requires trust.

Rejection and fear of judgment are innate; ease those fears.

• A comfortable, welcoming atmosphere. Let exploration happen under loose

guidance to allow the process of discovery, play, and epiphany.

• Leadership. Informal instruction is ok, but you need to meet the needs of

your audience. Give them the “game plan.”

• Experience. You know your material, and you are the expert.

Your Starting Points

• The principles of art are the same, regardless of skill level.

• Art is a teachable and learnable skill; it can start with you (no pressure).

• The supplies for creating are used by beginners and advanced artists alike.

Your Starting Points

• Minimal guidance• Minimal supplies• Simple concept (for a wide audience)• Examples: chalk drawing, photo hikes

Simplistic Moderate Experienced

Choose the level of your project

• Moderate guidance• More specialized supplies• Deeper concept (layers: technique,

art principles)• Examples: acrylic painting, nature

sketching

• Step-by-step guidance• Very specialized supplies• Specific interest/audience• Examples: papermaking, calligraphy

Your Starting PointsAny well-prepared program involves research. Art is no different.

Try it yourself!And then invite a guinea pig to try it with you.

Your Starting PointsSome topics are tough to tackle and are very involved or supply-intensive.

If you can’t lead it, find an expert.

2. I don’t have supplies

Remember these?

Know Your Resources

Work with what is available to you.

Andrew Goldsworthy-style.

• Budget• Space/shelter• Media (art tools)• Marketing…?• Time• Labor (assistance)

Know Your Resources

Media (Art Supplies)

Options:

• Buy your supplies

• Participants bring their own

• A hired instructor may include/provide supplies in his/her fee(or tell you what to buy and where)

• Partnering with another organization may help provide materials

You can be more creative when you’re limited.

Media (Art Supplies)

Quality does make a difference. The right tools for the right job = minimal frustration.

Research what you really need.

Arts & Crafts Stores: • Michael’s• Hobby Lobby• Joann FabricsOffice Supply StoresOnline:• Amazon• Dickblick• Jerry’s Artarama• Cheap Joe’sGeneral Stores:• Target• Walmart

3. I have no budget

• Keep supplies simple and minimal.

Ways to Keep Costs Low

• Work with what you have available.

• Have participants bring their own supplies.

• Charge a supply fee (let them take something away, if it’s not an exhaustible supply).

4. There’s no space

The scope of your project + number of participants = size of the space you will need

All you need is one room…maybe…

Your Space

Options:• Collaborate with a local library or

community center for shared use space

• Chairs and tables will do…or just chairs…

The Outdoors is your Classroom.

Options:• Pop-up tents• Picnic shelters• Or just picnic tables• Participants can bring portable

chairs

5. I’m not sure I have an audience

The need to be creative is out there.

If you offer it, they will come.

What are they looking for?

• A set time (they might not make on their own)

• Good company

• Instruction

• An avenue to create

• Curiosity to try

• Stress relief

• A social diversion

Your Audience

Where to Start:

• Consider a simple program with minimal supplies for a broad audience

• Advertise in any way you can (publication, flyer, social media, website, etc.)

• Cross-pollinate: libraries, local art centers, schools, community centers

• Identify your audience BEFORE your program (and prepare accordingly)

• Think about your demographics: what might interest them?

• Organize a booth at a local festival with a sampler activity

“Do”s and “Don’t”s:

• DO reassure your participants; trust is essential for sharing

and comfort

• DO make the goal and journey clear (and not intimidating)

• DON’T focus on the product as much as the experience

• DON’T be an art critic

• DO focus on the positive and offer suggestions

• DO adapt your program for the right age (think attention

span, motor skills, etc.)

• DO encourage “playtime” with the media

(experimentation is important)

• DO make it a positive experience

How to Assess:

• It may take time to build a repeat audience; don’t give up

• Small groups are just fine!

• Give participants a survey (or just ask ‘em)

• What is it you want them to walk away with (tangible and

intangible)? Did they?

• Self-evaluate (what went well, what could be done better)

6. I’ll think of more…give me time

• Generate your own interest and curiosity (what are you inspired to do?)• Think of the program as “exploration” rather than a “class”

DON’T look for reasons NOT to…

Embrace the challenge!

• Level of expertise (simplistic, moderate, experienced)

for skills and involvement

• Time frame (1 hour – full day)

• Location (indoors vs outdoors)

• Audience (size, age, ability)

• Supplies (fee or no fee, BYO, hired instructor)

• Structure (series/repeated program, workshop, etc.)

• Registration or drop-in (based on space, preparation, and supplies)

Design Your ProgramYour design is based on your resources.

Make sure your program has an objective (goal) for you and your audience.

Structure:

• Introduction: the objective, the medium, the subject, YOU

• Body: the process (step by step); reassurance, exploration

• Conclusion: sharing, assessment

Programming

Let’s BrainstormFor adults…

“Emerald Necklace Art Club”

Let’s BrainstormFor adults…

“Nature Journaling”

Let’s BrainstormFor adults…

“Look About Lodge Art Show”

Let’s BrainstormFor adults…

“Nature Tangles”

Let’s BrainstormFor adults…

“Asian Art Day”

Let’s BrainstormFor adults…

“Pysanky Egg Workshop”

Let’s BrainstormFor adults…

“Cocoa, Cookies, & a Canvas”

Let’s BrainstormFor adults…

“Glass & a Nature Art Class”

Let’s BrainstormFor adults…

“Autumn Watercolor Workshop”

Let’s BrainstormFor adults…

“CIA Workshops”

Let’s BrainstormFor adults…

“Burning River Creative Retreat”

Let’s BrainstormFor adults…

“Art in the Garden Bus Tour”

Let’s BrainstormFor adults…

“Nature Sketching”

Let’s BrainstormFor adults…

“Photo Hikes”

Let’s BrainstormFor adults…

• Art appreciation

• Bus trips (“Art in the Garden”, Seasonal Journaling Adventures)

• Workshops (clay, paper-making, calligraphy, watercolor, pinhole

camera/sun print, needle-felting, pysanky)

• Nature doodling & coloring

• Live animal “study & sketch”

• Seasonal (sun prints, snow sculpting, nature sculpture and ephemeral art)

• Nature writing & poetry

• Art therapy

Let’s BrainstormFor kids...and families…

“Art N’ Nature Camp”

Let’s BrainstormFor kids...and families…

“Zoo Sketching Safari”

Let’s BrainstormFor kids...and families…

“Chalk the Walk”

Let’s BrainstormFor kids...and families…

• Bus trips

• Workshops (clay, paper-making)

• Photo scavenger hunts

• Children’s art show

• Nature doodling & coloring

• Drop-in crafts or Make & Take

• Live animal “study & sketch”

• Seasonal (sun prints, snow sculpting, nature

sculpture and ephemeral art)

• “Young at Art” media exploration (scratch art,

watercolor, etc.)

• Nature journaling (eg: homeschool)

We’re just getting warmed up!

Gesture drawing: a quick sketch to capture the “essence” of a subject

• Fill your page

• Use your whole arm

• Don’t sweat the details

Draw an acorn.

Step 1: Observe the subject with your senses

• Color

• Shape

• Size

• Texture

• ProportionsHint: This one is flat, so do the best you can!

Step 2: Sketch

• Loose lines

• Light pressure

• Draw the form

• Check proportions

• Fill your page (actual size or LARGER)

Step 3: Polish

• Darken lines

• Add value (shading)

• Add highlights

How’d you do?

90% of Art is Discovery

It’s time for hands-on fun!

1. Leaf Printing

• Fresh leaves (or rubber)

• Paper for printing

• Paper/napkins for pressing and blotting

• Paint (with foam brush) or ink (stamp pads

with raised ink bed)

2. Watercolor Pencil Wonder

• 90 lb. paper (maybe)

• Watercolor pencils

• Pencil sharpener

• Brush and water with napkins OR

Waterbrushes OR Colorless blending marker

3. Nature Doodles

• Sturdy paper

• Ink or gel pens

• Optional: markers, colored pencils, etc. for shading

Questions, comments, experiences to share?

Stefanie Verish

Naturalist (and artist)

Cleveland Metroparks

North Chagrin Nature Center

skv@clevelandmetroparks.com