Bringing out the inner artist in your child and not having to worry about the mess is what Make and Play Art School is all about.
The classes, held and taught by local artist Laura Ajayi, will give parents a chance to allow their young children to learn about art and creativity in a playful way.
“A wonderful quote from Pablo Picasso is, ‘Every child is an artist,’” Ajayi said. “I think, for me, the reason it’s important to start when they’re really small is because they already have that natural creative drive at that age. They’re not trying to imitate an adult. They’re really immersed in that experiential aspect of art making. That’s what I try and tap into.
“It’s also messy and that’s kind of a barrier for parents,” she added. “I’ve been there. Not wanting to do that at your own house because you have a million things to do, and you’re constantly cleaning up after your kids.”
Ajayi’s six-week programs are divided up into two different classes, depending on the child’s age.
Infant and toddlers ages 10 months to three years will get the chance to participate in the sensory art class. The 45-minute lessons offer fundamentals that give children a hands-on approach to art that is “so much more than finger painting.”
“They’ll get to experience beautiful colours and things that have different textures, temperatures or smells so that they can really get into it,” she said. “Things like sounds – so painting on aluminum foil, and it makes that wonderful crackly sound that engages them on all levels.”
Children between the ages of three and five years can participate in Ajayi’s preschool printmaking class.
She said the class will offer age-appropriate printmaking skills that will incorporate studio art techniques with everyday items one would have lying around the house.
“My hope is when parents come to the course, they’ll say ‘Wow, I have all these activities, and it’s not that hard to do,’” she said. “It gives them something else that they can do with their child on a stormy day.”
Classes are starting to fill up for the Make and Play Art school, but Ajayi said there is still room for more participants who wish to join.
She said that classes are every Thursday beginning on Nov. 3 for the next six weeks. Those who wish to register can do so on the Make and Play Art School’s Facebook page.
