Building on Experiences

At UpCycle, we plan explorations and experiences to expose children to new artistic media. As we create together, we find it important for children to have experiences where they become familiar with materials and build on work from previous days. We also believe that when we work in groups everyone's work is enhanced through the exchange of ideas and skills.

As with many camp sessions, we have opened with a group experience around clay. Working with two 25 lb. hunks of clay, our friends have molded and changed the clay in many ways. We have worked together to create fairy houses, an elephant with cookies, a bunny house, a snake hospital, cakes, pancakes and even "Twenty Kinds of Dipping Sauce." 

In our small groups, we have had experiences that yield product that will be incorporated into several projects this week. In one group, we printed with found objects on paper and fabric. Then we painted the spaces on the fabric to create a warm, original composition.

In another group, we used glue to mask areas of the fabric before painting it with fabric paint. We are excited to see the results after washing the glue off.

We also have been learning about Matisse's cut out collages, doing observational drawings and preparing painted paper for a large collage project.

One of our most popular small groups has been the take-apart group. We are having great fun using tools to pop keys off of keyboards, and open up telephones, cameras, a stereo and more. 

After lunch each day, the rooms are open for free exploration. We have one one set up with open-ended play materials and balls & tunnels. Each day there is a new story evolving from the play, from pirates to ninjas in submarines. Many have tinkered with the materials in the studio or used materials in our message center. Our week is off to a great start!