Thanksgiving Centerpiece

Materials:

1. Disposable glove
2. Feathers
3. Scraps of craft foam
4. Tacky glue
5. Scissors
6. Yellow tissue paper
7. Small piece of styrofoam (to use as a base)
8. Raffia
9. Rubber band

Steps:
Stuff a disposable glove with crumpled tissue paper. Use a rubber band to close up the bottom. Poke a hole in the Styrofoam and push rubber banded bottom of glove into the hole. Glue feather onto both sides of the fingers and palm of the stuffed glove. Cut out eyes, waddle, and beak from craft foam. Glue onto thumb. Cover the Styrofoam base with pieces   of raffia.

Thanksgiving Arts & Crafts: Cornucopia

Materials:
1. tissue paper (brown, purple, blue, yel-
low, red, orange and green)
2. (1) 9″ x 12″ piece of newsprint
3. (1) 9” x 12” white construction paper
4. liquid starch
5. paint brush
6. black crayon

Steps:
1. Cut a cornucopia out of brown tissue paper. Cut various fruit shapes from the other
colors of tissue paper.
2. Have children arrange their design first on newsprint.
3. Paint the white construction paper with liquid starch. Move the arrangement from
the newsprint to the white paper, one piece at a time. Go over the top of each piece
lightly with the liquid starch. Be careful not to go over the edges so the colors won’t
run.
4. Outline the design with crayon after it is dry. The colors of the tissue will have run a
bit and this makes it more interesting. Outline the original fruit design.

Art Word of the Day

Art word of the day …anamorphic

Anamorphic illusions drawn in a special distortion in order to create an impression of 3 dimensions when seen from one particular viewpoint.

Julian Beever is an amazing artist who creates incredible chalk drawings…..check this video out!

Kool-Aid Playdough

Making play dough with the kids is easy and much more fun than the store bought kind…especially when you cook it… here’s our favorite recipe:

Kool-Aid Playdough with Cream of Tartar (Nonedible)

The addition of cream of tartar makes the playdough last longer. You can find cream of tartar in the baking supplies aisle at your grocery store. This playdough, if stored in an airtight container in the fridge will last months( up to 6 months ).

• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup water
• ½ cup salt
• 2 to 3 tsp cream of tartar
• 1 package Kool-Aid mix (6 g pkg)
• 1 Tbsp cooking oil

Mix the dry ingredients together in a medium saucepan. Slowly add the water mixed with oil and stir over medium heat until mixture thickens to dough. Let cool a few minutes and then knead until smooth.

Fan Holiday House Tour

It’s always fun to see how others decorate their homes and this tour will certainly showcase some of Richmond’s historic architecture as well.  It will be an excellent time to catch a glimpse of unique artwork in the intimate setting of several Fan District homes.  Here are the details:

The 47th Annual Fan Holiday House Tour, “Holiday Splendor on the Avenue”, will take place Saturday, December 12th and Sunday, December, 13th from 1PM-5PM each day.   While every holiday house tour is special, the 2009 tour will be a truly unique experience because all of the homes on the tour will be on historic Monument Avenue.   The source of pride for many of us, Monument Avenue has been named by the American Planning Association as one of the 10 Great Streets in the United States.  The Avenue is also on the National Register of Historic Places.  We are expecting a record turnout this year to take advantage of this rare opportunity to experience firsthand the beauty and grandeur of the homes on Monument Avenue.

The homeowners on this year’s tour have graciously agreed to open their homes to the community as a show of support for the Fan District Association (FDA).  The FDA is one of the largest and most active volunteer organizations in the City of Richmond, and the tour is the FDA’s only fund-raising event of the year. Participation in the Tour by homeowners and volunteers is what enables the FDA to carry out its mission- keeping the Fan District a desireable place to live for all. Proceeds from the Tour are used for neighborhood enhancements such as school projects, tree planting, park and alley refurbishments, concerts, and collaboration with the City of Richmond Police and VCU in a Party Patrol program.  The tour also provides financial support for the FDA’s community newsletter, Fan Fare, as well as the community website.

For tickets visit:  http://fantourrichmond.eventbrite.com/

Thursdays After Hours @ VMFA

Don’t forget we have a wonderful art museum getting a facelift….VMFA is hosting it’s last of the year Thursdays after hours
Nov 19
MUSIC: DJ Steve’s Latin Dance Party- Salsa, Rumba, Cha-Cha-Cha
THEME: Viva Puerto Rico!
FOOD: Curried Chicken
ART TASTING: Art a la Carte
CREATIVE MOMENT: Salsa Dance Lessons

The opening 3rd Thursdays, from 6 to 9 pm, presents Mambo Madness with DJ Steve’s Latin Dance Party (salsa, rumba, cha-cha-cha). Quesadillas are on the menu along with specialty cocktails from VMFA’s expert mixologists.

Take a free tour. Learn to dance the salsa.

Tickets are $10 (member s $8). Tickets may be ordered online. Tickets may also be purchased at the museum or by phoning 804.340.1405. Free parking in the museum’s deck is included in the ticket price.

Contest!

Young Travel Writers and Artists Contest

I Love Costa Rica’s Rain Forest!
Children from 5K through 5th Grade are invited to submit original stories and artwork. Cash price and other prizes from Rand McNally. USA residents in 3 grade level groups as of the contest deadline date November 30, 2009

Bring a Friend Week

Wow!  Bring a FRIEND  week was incredible!  We had a great time working on spooky Halloween pictures and  Halloween cards, face painting and enjoying the fun with our friends!

Parents: if your child’s friend signs up for art class before April 1,  YOU receive
a free month of art classes!

Our next  FRIEND  week is November 16-November 20…

It’s the thought that counts….

It’s the thought that counts….

As the holiday season approaches, what better way to stay within your gift budget than giving the gift of art.  Family, friends, and neighbors will be thrilled to be the recipient of a meaningful and creative expression from you or your children.
Don’t forget that if the artwork is on paper or a photo, you can frame your masterpiece to give it that extra personal touch.

One innovative way of displaying your artwork is this adorable wall decal collection from Land Of Nod: http://www.landofnod.com/family.aspx?c=9676&f=5384    If you buy the set, you have 8 frames you can give out to multiple loved ones!

You can also make your own frame by cutting out construction paper or cardboard. Decorate with glitter, beads, ribbon, etc. Be creative!
For longer lasting impressions, visit our custom frame shop and let us help you design the perfect option.

It’s in the Bag, Handbag Silent and Live Auction by LINC

Check out, It’s in the Bag, Handbag Silent and Live Auction by LINC:
Thursday, November 5th, 6:30-8:30pm at Richmond’s Westin Hotel.
Local Richmond artists are among the designers of over 100 casual and evening handbags.  What a great opportunity to own a one -of -a- kind designer handbag AND donate to a wonderful cause.
There will be wine, hors d’oeuvres, coffee , and desserts.  Proceeds benefit LINC’s clients.
For more information:  www.acteva.com/go/linc

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