CHESTER, Vt. – Community Art Garden in Chester, Vt., has a fun lineup of classes for children of all ages this fall.
ArtCrew is a program for ages 5-10 that meets twice a month, on Mondays, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Playfully creative, this class spends as much time outside exploring the natural world as it does inside, and offers traditional and nontraditional art experiences. Inspired by Reggio Emilia, this process-art-based program inspires children to find their inner artist while immersing themselves in a beautiful array of curated materials. From painting, to collage, to the “inspiration art” that comes from dramatic play, this is a sweet spot in our schedule.
For children who are interested in learning more about the healing herbs around them, Little Herbalists runs for four sessions October-May, on Fridays, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., starting Oct. 24. In the Little Herbalist program, young learners will step into the wonders of the natural world, one plant at a time. Over the course of the year, each class will spotlight a simple Vermont backyard plant, exploring its look, feel, and traditional uses in an age-appropriate way (e.g., tea, salve, compress). As they discover these plants, children will also create their own mini-field guide, adding pages each week with drawings, notes, and pressed samples. By the end of the program, every participant will carry home not just a handmade plant guide, but also a deeper connection to the small wonders in the world growing all around them.
After School ART will run the second and third Tuesdays of the month, for ages 5-12, from 3-4:30 p.m. Ages 4 and under may attend with a caregiver. This twice-a-month class will be a chance to explore art materials and projects with a seasonal theme. November will feature leaves and pinecones, with invitations to create pinecone pets and leaf spin art, as well as explore the studio, including the popular sensory play kitchen and curated art stations.
Finally for the teens and tweens, Wildflower Atelier is a new program which runs after school on Fridays, from 4-5:30 p.m., once a month, starting Oct. 24, and is for children ages 11-18. In the first session, “Wildflower Wardrobe,” the class will transform everyday clothing into one-of-a-kind statement pieces, using techniques like bedazzling, needle felting, and embroidery. This program is all about experimenting, creating, and leaving with wearable art that reflects the artists’ inner style.
Community Art Garden is located at 287 Main Street, right next to Six Loose Ladies, and has been offering hands-on creative experiences in Chester, Vt., since 2013. Find more details or registration information at www.communityartgarden.com.