Winter break’s family fun includes art camps, cartooning and chemistry
Winter break’s family fun includes art camps, cartooning and chemistry
8 ways for your kids to enjoy the arts during February
White Plains, N.Y. (January 29, 2021) — Pump some fun into a winter break staycation and fortify family togetherness with in person and virtual arts programs from ArtsWestchester and its partners.
Many school districts will pause their virtual, hybrid and in person learning in mid-February to observe winter break. With travel discouraged due to the global health emergency, ArtsWestchester and its partners have developed a series of engaging family programs throughout February that are designed to ward off cabin fever. Activities range from in person art camps to virtual cartooning lessons, and many of the workshops are free.
“The arts community recognizes the importance of providing families a psychological release during a time of social isolation and profound anxiety. These programs are designed to give children and adults a creative escape from the tedium we’ve all experienced over the past year. At the same time these programs—particularly the in-person opportunities—offer us hope that we will soon emerge from the pandemic,” said Janet Langsam, CEO of ArtsWestchester.
February’s family arts events include:
February 15-19: Rye Arts Center (virtual and in person)
Rye Arts Center has three week-long workshops planned. In person workshops include “Drawing, Painting and More,” during which kids will discover new artistic medium each day, and “Ceramics Week,” for students who want to learn to work with clay. A virtual workshop, “Miniature Fun Model-Making 101,” teaches the art of miniatures, from conceptualizing to creating their models. Registration costs $265 (members receive discount).
February 15, 17 and 19: Blue Door Art Center (virtual)
Blue Door Art Center will present a free Zoom series for midwinter break: “Travel Around the World in 3 Days”. Artist Zafiro Acevedo will lead children to create art forms from around the world: Native American dream-catchers, Brazilian carnival masks and Chinese lanterns for the new Lunar Year. Additional Zoom activities include a love-themed workshop on February 13 and sponge-painting Cherry Blossom trees on February 20. For more info. and to register, visit https://bluedoorartcenter.org/
February 16-19: Pelham Art Center (in person)
Pelham Art Center offers two winter youth camps for students, both led by artist Donna Ross. In “Eric Carle Creations,” kids will explore colors, shapes and textures to create colorful paper sculptures inspired by artist and author Eric Carle (“The Very Hungry Caterpillar”). In “Acrylic Painting,” students will learn about basic color theory through “observational still life exercises and abstract mark-making.” Camps cost $152 for non-members and $137 for members.
Eric Carle Creations with Donna Ross
Acrylic Painting with Donna Ross
February 20: Westchester Children’s Museum (in person)
Westchester Children’s Museum’s Sunday workshops will focus on all-ages activities that are best suited for ages 4-6. On February 20, students will discover the 1970s by creating their own lava lamp sensory bottle followed by a themed dance party. Tickets cost $9 for members and $10 for non-members.
February 20, 21, 27 and 28: Nowodworski Foundation (virtual) The “Yonkers Community Quilt” is a community project that showcases the diversity of the city. All are welcome to participate in these collaborative art-making Zoom workshops, including parents and children. Participants will use basic art supplies like crayons, markers and paints, to create their own portion of the quilt. Zoom sessions take place throughout February; free sessions will be held Feb. 20 and 27 at 10am and Feb. 21 and 28 at 3pm. To register, email office@sitenf.org
February 24: ArtsWestchester (virtual) Join ArtsWestchester artist Nima Safaie from 4:00-4:45 pm for a free cartooning workshop. Nima will teach how to tap into imagination and create one-of-a-kind cartoon characters. Supplies needed: paper, pencils, erasers, colored pencils and a black sharpie. To register contact Jessica Cioffoletti at jcioffoletti@artswestchester.org. The zoom log-in info will be sent upon registration. Sponsored by White Plains Hospital and Con Edison.
February 25: ArtsWestchester (virtual) Join ArtsWestchester artist Lance Johnson from 4:30-5:30 pm for a free freestyle drawing workshop. Lance will teach the tricks and techniques behind this unique art form. Supplies needed: paper, markers and pencils. To register contact Jessica Cioffoletti at jcioffoletti@artswestchester.org. The zoom log-in info will be sent upon registration. Sponsored by White Plains Hospital and Con Edison.
Watch and Create at any time:
ArtsWestchester’s virtual ArtsMobile workshops for children, and Teen Tuesdays and Thursdays workshops for teens, offer creative kids a video playlist of art-making workshops by various teaching artists available at any time on the organization’s YouTube page.
About ArtsWestchester
For more than 50 years, ArtsWestchester has been the community’s connection to the arts. Founded in 1965, it is the largest, private, not-for-profit arts council in New York State. Its mission is to provide leadership, vision, and support, to ensure the availability, accessibility, and diversity of the arts. ArtsWestchester provides programs and services that enrich the lives of everyone in Westchester County. ArtsWestchester helps fund concerts, exhibitions and plays through grants; brings artists into schools and community centers; advocates for the arts; and builds audiences through diverse marketing initiatives. In 1998, ArtsWestchester purchased the nine-story neo-classical bank building at 31 Mamaroneck Avenue which has since been transformed into a multi-use resource for artists, cultural organizations, and the community. A two-story gallery is located on the first floor of ArtsWestchester’s historic building in downtown White Plains.