What is “Kids’ Art for Grownups”?
I was the Assistant Director and lead teacher at an incredible summer art programme for kids ages 7-12. Each summer I’d share photos of the kids’ projects on social media, and people would always comment that they wished they could go to “art camp” because it looked like so much fun. So I created a weekly programme called “Kids’ Art for Grownups,” where adults could make some of the actual projects I made with the kids. It was a big hit!
To be clear, these aren’t art lessons; they’re opportunities to make something you’d probably never carve out the time and space to create in your “real” adult life. With Kids’ Art for Grownups, you get to spend a few hours relaxing, being silly, making a mess you don’t have to clean up 😊, and just…having fun. There’s absolutely zero pressure to be “good” at anything—it’s all about the joy of creating. And you get go home with something fun that you made!
To sign up, email me at hilaryemersonlay@gmail.com.
Kitchen Witches
Monday, October 13, 6-8PM
Whitianga Town Hall, 24 Monk St
$30 (includes materials)
Kitchen Witches, believed to have originated in Scandinavia more than 400 years ago, are decorative handmade poppets traditionally hung in kitchens to keep pots from boiling over and food from burning. They’re seen as symbols of good luck and protectors of the home.
In this workshop, you’ll start with just a glass jar and some newspaper to create the form of the Kitchen Witch, and then dive into a treasure trove of fabric, beads, yarn, and jewels to bring them to life! You can keep your fabulous Kitchen Witch in your kitchen or gift it to a friend—it’s said to bring especially good luck when given as a gift.
Shrink Art jewellery & Flying Bird Mobiles
Monday, October 20, 6-8PM
Whitianga Town Hall, 24 Monk St
$30 (includes materials)
Using special shrink art paper and coloured pencils, you’ll create a tiny drawing and then watch it become even tinier as it shrinks in an oven! You can use one of many templates or create your own design, and you’ll have the choice of making a necklace or a pair of earrings.
The second project is a flying bird mobile, where you colour and paint three-dimensional birds and hang them off of a branch. These are lovely to hang in front of a window at home. (Fun tip: once you learn how to make flying birds, you can make single ones as holiday gifts!).
