Olivia Martinez

In this full-week spring break workshop, students create artwork inspired by famous artists in a variety of mediums like clay, painting, collage and paper mache sculptures. We study various art forms, moments in history and influential artists as we make our own art, inspired by their techniques, beliefs and lives. Art Breaks are an exciting new program at Anderson Ranch Arts Center for kids ages 7-10. They are scheduled to complement breaks in the elementary school calendar throughout the year. Each Art Break has its own theme as it relates to the changing of the seasons and the world around us. Various artistic mediums will be incorporated including ceramics, painting, sculpture and printmaking. Kids will have a safe and inspiring environment to participate in hands-on creative problem-solving activities. They will be encouraged to recognize the arts as a lifelong learning experience as well as an integral part of the past and the future. Art Breaks will also feature special tours of the Anderson Ranch artistic studios for a peek inside the work of Visiting Artists and Studio Coordinators. Drop off and pick up will take place at the Evelyn and Martin Siegel Children’s Building, just inside the main Anderson Ranch entrance. Children should come prepared with a snack, lunch and water bottle, as well as appropriate apparel for a full day of art-making. Before the start of each Art Break, families and students will be updated with the appropriate COVID protocols as defined by Pitkin County and the CDC.

Pack your bags and get ready to embark on the artistic adventure of a lifetime! We start our journey by creating our very own passports, and then off we go to Japan, Mexico, Italy, Panama, and Brazil. Each day students focus on one destination and create beautiful and creative works of art specific to that location. Projects include Japanese ceramic tea cups and paper lanterns, Mexican prayer boxes, Italian frescos, colorful mola textiles from Panama, and papier-mâché parrots from Brazil. We also explore the culture, folklore, and history of these destinations.

Join this culturally-rich workshop where students create and design art projects based on traditional Mexican folk arts including pottery, weaving, and paper crafts. While learning some basic Spanish, students look at various examples of artwork from regions in Mexico as well as their historic significance. Students then create their own artworks inspired by “alejibres” which are whimsical wooden toys, “hojalata” or tin artwork, “papel picado” which is a cut paper technique—plus ceramics and more! On Friday there is a celebration with a piñata for friends and families to enjoy.