more great art from Potato Hill Poetry's Creative writing program

Before the summer ends I want to share some of the awesome work created by the terrific kids at Potato Hill Poetry's summer writing program.  I had the pleasure of being the guest artist for two more sessions and it is ALWAYS such a treat!! 

Potato Hill Poetry's Andrew Green sets an inspiring environment in which these kids flourish.  By the time I arrive, these kids' creative juices are flowing, making my job just that much more fun.

One week the group was working on written pieces about an imaginary place so I decided to have them create a mixed media map or a travel poster about their place.  Once the map was finished, we folded it up, just like a map, and put it into a cover, ready for a backpack or glove compartment.

The following week I shared my love for the master of color, Henri Matisse.  The Boston Museum of Fine Art had just hosted a beautiful exhibit of Matisse's work and so I thought I would join in on the matisse buzz that was happening.  

I focused on Matisse's later works, his collages. I gave the kids some basic instructions and lots of colored paper and they created some brilliant pieces.  Also to end the session, each writer shared a short story or poem about their collage!! I was over the moon!!!

I am sad to say that the Potato Hill Poetry Writing program is done for this year.  It is truly one of my highlights of my summer!! It is such a treat to work with these creative kids. And an extra special bonus is that Mr Green is alway an eager participant in my art activities which is fun for me and the kids.

'the sisters from Hamilton

I guess all I can do now is to wait for next summer .... 

peace,  virginia

It is summertime and that means .... ART time!!!!

Last year I had the pleasure of being one of the guest artists for Potato Hill Poetry's Creative Writing Kids program,

 here in Natick, and I had so much fun.  

And I guess the kids had fun too as I have been invited back to do art with the kids this summer!!! 

WOOHOO!!!

Andrew Green in a school

The program is run by poet Andrew Green, 

the talent and inspiration of Potato Hill Poetry! 

"Andrew Green is a poet, writer, and teacher who works with students and teachers in schools throughout New England, offering writing and poetry workshops. He founded Potato Hill Poetry in 1995." 

'such a good thing . . .' Collage from bits & piece found on my kitchen table ©2015

Last year I lead the group in creating collage. I showed them some of my collage work, my 'home, sweet, home' series as well as some of my collages from my #ICAD2015 project. 

I explained the similarities of collage and writing, each taking parts (writing/words, collage images) how, to create a new worlds, emotions, in fact stories. 

'there is no place like home, andy ...' ©2016 

They created some wonderful pictures using my basket of tricks ... catalogs, magazines and other detritus of the day. 

collage from last year's program

This summer I plan to mix it up a bit!!! 

Definitely do the magazine based collage!

 

Eric Carle inspired dress ©2013

But we will also doing creating a tissue paper based collage ~ a nod to the amazing Eric Carle.  

While I was visiting the The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art  I learned how to do these collages and i am excited to share.

And I also want to explore the amazing world of Zentangle with the group.  New to it myself, I find it a wonderful meditative practice which I find very inspiring!!! 

I believe there are still some spots available, depending on the week.  

I have included the sign-up form below or you can click here: 

http://www.potatohill.com/files/2016-camp-flier.pdf

And check back here to see what these creative kiddos create, 

I plan to take more pictures this year.  

Come spend five fabulous mornings discovering the creative writer within. You will work with one or two fantastic teachers who will encourage and inspire you to write as never before. Mornings will be devoted to a variety of genres: nature writing, poetry, fiction, and journaling. There will be group exercises as well as individual guidance during the week. A reading for parents will occur on the final morning.

PEACE