Spooky Masks and Seasonal Crafts: Arts Classes at Croft
We hear a knock on the door, and turn around to see small shadows behind the glass waiting to be let in. It’s 4pm, and as expected, the kids of Croft are itching to create. This fall, the DNDA Arts Program hosted three art-making classes inspired by the month of October at DNDA’s Croft Place Townhomes. No matter the project, the kids consistently showed up to be with their friends, eat snacks, and exercise their imaginations.
Our arts classes at Croft were so popular that even Batman made an appearance.
Week 1: Mask-Making
- Trace the shape of a mask. Any shape.
- Cut out the mask.
- Hold it up to your face and figure out where the eyes should be. Cut out the eyes (we’ll help you—we know that can be tough).
- Now paint. Mosaic. Add feathers…this project is yours.
In the spirit of Halloween, we taught the kids how to make their own masks. Teaching artist Molly Duttry introduced to them the concept of symmetry—in that if you want both sides of your mask to look the same, you can simply fold your paper, trace one half of the face, and then cut out that shape to have a perfectly balanced mask. Some students used this trick—others went rogue, creating characters such as the incredible hulk, unicorns, fire birds, or even pumpkins.
DNDA teachers Molly Duttry (left) and Madison Bristol (right) modelling their multi-media masks.
Week 2: Painting Pumpkins
We all had pumpkins on the mind, and as a result, we decided to paint pumpkins—no, not real pumpkins (we saved that for later), but pumpkins of the imagination. We were amazed at the designs that kids came up with for their two-dimensional pumpkins. Some were architectural, reminiscent of science fiction. Others were colorful, spanning the entire piece of paper with vibrant complementary hues.
Students just starting to paint pumpkins—boldly filling in their designs with color.
Week 3: Costume Party!
We at DNDA thought: What better way to celebrate the third and final fall arts class than to host an art-making costume party? We ordered pizza, brought pumpkins to paint—real pumpkins this time—and invited entire families to join in on the festivities. The kids, as always, showed up with the creative spirit—many of them in costume. At the end of the night, we held a costume contest, and awarded Cinderella 1st Place and Batman Honorable Mention.
Cinderella attentively painting pumpkins—will they become her horse-drawn carriage in the night?
When we were cleaning up after the party with the help of some of the kids, a couple of them asked us when we would be back with more arts classes. We will return with our winter arts classes on November 19th—which means that the kids won’t have an after school, weekly art class for three weeks. They were shocked and expressed that they wanted classes every week. This is our goal, for we know the value of offering consistent programming that provides a space for self-expression. In their own words, the kids said:
“When I am in art class I feel happy and excited about what we are going to do <3.”
“I think that art club is perfect and fun.”
Starting in January 2020, we aim to provide arts classes every week, many of which will include EcoArts activities. In other words, these classes will use the arts as a tool for environmental engagement. But until then, we are excited for our Winter arts series which will feature canvas painting, card making, snow-globe constructing, and ornament decorating. The kids at Croft are a joy to create art with, and we hope to continue fostering their creative growth well into the future.
Written by Madison Bristol, DNDA’s EcoArts Program Coordinator