Summer Art Centers

Posted by Cindy on May 29, 2007

If you’re anything like me, art tends to take somewhat of a back seat to other subjects during the school year.  So, I’ve decided to make an art center that will stay around all summer long!

I plan to fill it with all sorts of goodies, but only a few at a time.  I’ll change out the supplies every week or two to keep the center fresh and exciting.  I’ll also check out a couple of books on a new artist every couple of weeks to put in the center, too.

The center is in my kitchen (where we spend a lot of time!), with an old sheet underneath.  There’s plenty of wall space for the artists to display their work, too!

Here’s what the first week’s table looks like - a Picasso book, colorful clay, tie-dye kit, oil pastels and plenty of paper.  I picked really colorful supplies because Picasso used lots of bright color in his art.

I don’t know what other artists I’ll spotlight, but here’s a list of supplies I have on hand to use throughout the summer:  watercolors, acrylic paints, sponges, food coloring, paint pens, marbling kit, markers, crayons, colored pencils, toothbrushes, pastels, charcoal, face paints, craft scissors, foam shapes, foam sheets, glitter glues, fabric, scrapbook paper, construction paper, pipe cleaners, wood shapes, wood scraps, beads, yarn, brayers, colored sand, sequins, feathers, old cards, old magazines, sculpey clay, glitter, goodly eyes, pom poms, stickers, tissue paper, ribbon, styrofoam…….

Remember to keep an eye out for some of these things at yard sales and Goodwill!  I stock up on many things in July at the Back-to-School sales.  I also use a lot of recyclables.

Whether young or old, I think all ages can benefit from an art center.  Even if you school year ’round, you could easily incorporate this sort of center into your regular schedule.   Personally, a summer’s worth of art in my kitchen will be enough!  Until next summer, that is.

Related Tags: homeschool, summer, art, crafts, artists