Seven adults participated this past Sunday in a one-day-long workshop called "Encaustic Painting 101".  Encaustics is a greek word that means to "burn in". Its a very ancient art form dating back to the Ancient Egyptians 3 - 6,000 BC ! Encaustics is a molten (hot!) beeswax based painting medium that has regained interest, particularly since the works of Pop Artist Jasper Johns. Here's a little view into what things looked like while we explored today this beautiful medium.... This workshop was taught by Artist Hélène Farrar who has been working in encaustics for 7 years. Enjoy!

Thanks to Art Educator Brynn Wartman and the awesome kids, we had an amazing celebration and artmaking party to celebrate the "Day of the Dead"!

I'm not keeping count, but I think summer time is past its peak:) Still things to do on the bucket list.  One of my favorite things that happened this summer at the studio is a great gathering. In this great gathering, 9 children created some beautiful tie dye pieces, and this image reminds me of this.  Sometimes we have to remind ourselves that artmaking can be communal, and as result can bring great joy. What else did the studio teach me as the teacher - to not be too serious.  Enjoy this wonderful painting created by Stephanie Harkness....

Old Hallowell Day Parade

Artbugs made their appearance at the 2012 Old Hallowell Day parade with their creative interpretations of what bugs can look like if you have a little fun with it! 

SUMMER'S SCHEDULE

Summer is here and we are all sorting out our family's schedules and putting together our summer bucket lists, so we can enjoy every ounce of Maine Summer... This summer schedule starts June 20th
Schedule for Catch the Artbug With Hélène Farrar Art Summer 2012
For Children:
Weekly Art Classes Wed. 4 - 5 PM, Thur. 9:30 - 10:30 AM, Thur. 4 - 5 PM & Fri.  4 - 5 
Cost is $20. for each class
Art Camp  July 9 - 13,  9:30 AM - 12 PM   $125.
For Adults:
BiWeekly Art Classes on Thursdays  11 am - 1 PM
Dates:  June 7, 28  July 19 & 26, August 9 & 23
Plein Air Painting at Various Central Maine Locations
June 21 & 22nd, Oakland Farm, Gardiner
August 2 & 3rd, Maple Hill Farm, Hallowell
August 16 & 17, Viles Arboretum, Augusta 
$110. for each site's session includes morning coffee and lunch!

Mark Your Calendars for Saturday, July 21st - It's Old Hallowell Day and all students are invited to be in the morning parade!  Start brainstorming your artbug costume!

Give permission to be creative this summer to yourself and others!

Catch the Artbug at Art Camp (for kids) Monday - Friday July 9 - 13, 9:30 - 12 $125. if registered by May 31st includes all materials and a healthy snack. Children are invited to participate in the Old Hallowell Day parade the following Saturday! Adults are invited to paint on site at four wonderful locations in Central Maine including Longfellow's Greenhouses, Oakland Farm, Maple Hill Farm, and the Viles Arboretum. Includes Lunch. FMI or to register call Hélène at 485 5691 or email helene@helenefarrar.com

Celebrations Supporting Our Children's Visual Art Accomplishments

Thank you for supporting your child's education in the visual arts and thank you to the children for working so hard! What a wonderful event we had at Bagel Mainea! The children had been very busy completing their art pieces for weeks, and were so happy to share it with all of us. The exhibit is indeed intelligent, beautiful, interesting and dynamic.

The show will be up until the beginning of April, so please stop by, share with your friends / family, AND now there is a guest book for folks to sign and pass on their comments to these young artists.

Also, I have included pictures from the reception but also a short discussion about why arts education is important (you already knew this)

Why Arts Education Is Crucial, and Who's Doing It Best. Art and music are key to student development. By Fran Smith

.....Did you know that involvement in the arts is associated with gains in math, reading, cognitive ability, critical thinking, and verbal skill? Arts learning can also improve motivation, concentration, confidence, and teamwork. A 2005 report by the Rand Corporation about the visual arts argues that the intrinsic pleasures and stimulation of the art experience do more than sweeten an individual's life -- according to the report, they "can connect people more deeply to the world and open them to new ways of seeing," creating the foundation to forge social bonds and community cohesion.......