I am always so inspired by the way artist and teacher Kate Sanborn talks about art making.  It's always about  togetherness and process, things that keep any artist on point and separated from the fear that often looms about the end results.  We were talking today about her plans for an upcoming Family Art Night that will be running here at Laura's Center for the Arts where she hopes to get families working together and focused on the process.

Kate calls these little guys "Sculptural Caricatures."  Each family member is in charge of creating another family member's wire caricature. Family members must also play to their strengths, maybe assigning one person to be in charge of the cutting (because perhaps that is a challenge for another), while putting another in charge of bending the wire (because perhaps they find out they really love that part.)  No matter what age or abilities that are in the group, they will create a game plan to figure out who is best at what and what needs to be done so that they can all be working as equals.  Working as equals! I love that.  I love that kids are given as much weight in this situation to make decisions about how things should be as adults and it isn't because we are humoring them.  It is because their opinion is equally as valid.

If you want to come make some art with Kate, gather up your family or your chosen family of the night and come by LCA this Thursday night (January 16th) from 6-7. You can register online or by calling the Y at 781-829-8585 ($35 Y Member Family, $53 Non-Y Member Family; Program Code: 50AEVIS09).

In today's fast paced world it's a challenge to find family time.  Families find themselves running from this game to that birthday, from one class to the next, with the parents on the fringes watching and driving.  It's a beautiful thing to see a family just play.

One of the classes we are currently offering is "Oh the Drama" and I couldn't ask for a better class! We currently have two families who honestly exemplify the power of theatre, in this case the simple act of "playing pretend", to bring people together.  Throughout the fall session I have had the chance to watch this group of youngsters transform into animals, chefs, royalty, and anything else our imaginations could come up with. 

What has been so inspiring is the parents involvement; These parents actively participate in engaging their imaginations as well.  It's easy to get wrapped up in the idea that we have to act a certain way, and pretending to fight a bear that your 3 year old son is imagining looming over you, ready to attack, is rarely seen as the "right" way to be an adult, but that's just what these parents are doing.  They are letting their kids make the decisions, and following along as a character in their story! Whether we are pretending to cook a gourmet meal or protect the throne of the kingdom, this class, these kids, and these parents are a highlight of the week.

The throne created by Prince Tristan and Princess Adriana