Arts Explorer #10: Community Arts Project

What are the three steps to staying a healthy kid this summer??

1. Eat Healthy

2. Get Active

3. Have fun doing it! 

So lets go to CAMP!! 
JERRY LOVE CHILDREN'S FUND

Our BIG IDEA for this CAP project was to promote active living for children this summer, by giving them the opportunity to go to day camp. Our main concept was to get children involved in promoting this idea by bringing in sport items for other children to play with, who cannot financially afford it. The way in which we used 'art' to communicate and pitch our idea to the audience was through a song and allowing children in schools and communities to draw or paint their ideas of active living and healthy eating on a large poster that will be hung around the community and schools. The children can paint using their body such as their hands and feet or objects such as basket balls or rackets to form pictures of physical activity and a way to express themselves.

In terms of having to convince the community to participate we would have both children and adults promoting this idea as oppose to only adults. Once the community sees that children are eager and willing to help other children to get active this summer they will be willing to participate. In addition, handing out blue/green ribbons to signify our Jerry Love Children's fund.

I think that the presentation went very well. We started off with an attention grabber song and ended off with handing out ribbons to support our cause. Our focus was to bring awareness toward not only child obesity but also towards the lack of physical activity among children. 

What we could have done differently is propose further information on how the we could communicate the idea in a creative way. However, we did create and share the facebook page (one camp, one love) that introduces our cause and brings people from all around the GTA to take part in.

 http://www.facebook.com/pages/One-Camp-One-Love/165296386858483

Over all the CAP project was a success and from our peers, We were given positive feedback. 

So the word of the day is not from the text book but from me, and that is FUN! 

Fun as I would describe as mere enjoyment of a task or event that may or may not have a reason to do so (Hundal, 2011).

Finally, we hope to build a healthier community, for children by the children and one child at a time. 

Arts Explorer #9: Guerilla Art

This is the first I learn or even participate in Guerilla art. At first I was a little confused as to what to put out for the world to see. What can be my BIG idea that catches someones attention?? Then I thought of the perfect idea to exploit to the world.

My Guerilla art consists of red roses and a sign that says "TAKE....you hands off"

The purpose of this is to see whether or not people read the small writing, or if they just take what ever they assume is offered to them. I'm excited to start and see what happens...

Step 1: Roses + making a sign.

Step 2: place it out side where someone can spot it!

Step 3:  (11 minutes later...) wait for people to pass by....

This project was very interesting to do! It was a little difficult at first to think of something but once I had the greatest idea I just went at it. The place i chose may have been a little quieter than I anticipated however, I was happy it wasn't over riding with people because if it was, I wouldn't be able to catch people reactions as well as I did for this man! When the man noticed the roses and the sign from a distance I was soo excited and interested to see what he will do. Will he take it? Will he noticed the words saying "your hands off" located in the negative space which means: space left between or surrounding subject matter, symbols, or shapes.
Lets find our the Reaction of that man......




                         Step 4:Their Reaction to my Guerilla art!!
Stranger looking around...

Stranger picking up flower

Stranger leaving with rose...


He obviously didnt read the fine print. But thats okay. This project was very interesting to see how people react to usual situations that we dont see on a regular basis. As a perspective educator, I will most definitely apply this project with children. Maybe take all the children to draw on big collage out on the pavement. That would be interesting to see how people react to children's art on the ground.

References

Schirrmacher, R., & Fox, J.E. (2009). Art and creative development for young children (6th Ed.). Belmont, CA: Delmar

Arts Explorer # 8: Pretend Play and Magical Thinking

When I close my eyes, my stuff come to life. Sometimes I catch them role playing Toy Story. But this one item in my room is an amazing one. Mirror mirror on the wall who's the most glamorous of them all.  Her name is Macy the Mirror. No question! Macy Mirror is marvelously magnificent in her Mac makeup! Every girl wants to be her best friend and she constantly catches them staring at her. She polishes her face and makes sure she has the right lighting.

With her blue pearls and funky earrings, Macy Mirror always catches the spot light. She is a famous actress that is surrounded by photographers who chase her around for a glimpse of her glass. Macy is outgoing and fun to be around. She always tells you if your looking bad or good. She has a confident sense of style and enjoys chit chats with other mirrors and glass. Today she is heading to the beach wit her new sunglasses to, to stroll around on the beach. Her personality is fun, cheerful, caring, and thoughtful. Macy is also very courageous, she is always willing to try new thing. She is a fashion icon and knows her makeup. Macy loves to make Intermediate colours, which is defined as mixing primary and secondary colours to make a new colour. She mixes her green and blue eyeshadow to make geen-blue. She is working on making a career out of this.

Bring things to life is always an exciting time for children and me. I drew out Macy's eyes, eyebrows, and lips. I attached a necklace, earrings and had her wear sunglasses. She was already to come to life. Every day I watch children use their imagination to bring an object or item to life. Whether it is a plain old box or their food, they always manage to create something that fits their imagination and creativity. I am a strong believer in learning through play and the best play comes from creating and imagination. Children get inspired very quickly and that is the best part of being a kid. You get to make up anything and talk to any object and people wont think your crazy. If anything adults will compliment children's intelligence by say "wow, he's so creative". Being a kid is definitely fun! 

References

Schirrmacher, R., & Fox, J.E. (2009). Art and creative development for young children (6th Ed.). Belmont, CA: Delmar

Arts Explorer #7: Grocery Shopping with a Twist!

Mmmmm! Chocolate!! my all time favorite food in the world. I literally cannot function in this world without it. And it is the number one item on my list when I grocery shop. Why chocolate you ask? well why not? The smooth creamy sweet taste of chocolate has not match! When I eat chocolate I like to consider the texture of it, it is smooth and creamy or hard and crunchy, the smell of chocolate whether its white, milk or dark chocolate all contain a different smell all with its unique sweetness. And finally, the way chocolate looks is very important. The best part about chocolate is that it can be molded and shaped into anything. The creative word is Physical Texture in this case would be the texture of chocolate when being eaten and not touch. In my opinion texture (when consumed) is defined as  the feeling and sensation edible substances or foods. Chocolate can be found in many different foods the list is never ending!!

List of different types of Chocolate: include different shapes, colour and  texture

Plain milk chocolate bar : hard

- white and dark chocolate : hard with different colours

- chocolate mousse : creamy

- chocolate with almonds: crunchy

- chocolate brownie/ cake: chewy & colorful

- chocolate chip cookies: crunchy

- chocolate ice cream : cold and smooth

- chocolate truffles: crunchy

- chocolate pudding: smooth creamy

- chocolate dipped strawberries: sweet and sour

continue...

- hot chocolate: warm and sweet

- chocolate fudge: yumm

- chocolate bunnies

- chocolate caramel cups : sticky

- chocolate  and peanut butter : crunchy and smooth

- chocolate covered marshmallow: chewy

- chocolate covered pretzels: sweet and salty

And so forth ....

Not only do I love chocolate, I think children are obsessed with it too. I mean I don't blame them its really good. However I don't recommend children having chocolate during school hours. Even the chocolate spread some children have for breakfast or the chocolate pudding they have for lunch can really make them hyper. I work at a kindergarten class and every few months they have parents come in the morning and have breakfast with their children. We made pancakes and waffles with syrup and some fruit. A few hours later the children we're running up and down and were yelling and laughing. It was fun at first but then it got really crazy... In certain places and appropriate times I think children should go all out.

References

Schirrmacher, R., & Fox, J.E. (2009). Art and creative development for young children (6th Ed.). Belmont, CA: Delmar