Second Saturday offers art-inspired fun for families

Second Saturdays at the Judith and Norman Alix Art Gallery are for families looking for a little more.

The monthly two-hour program includes a short tour of a current exhibit at the public art gallery in downtown Sarnia that inspires an art-making session led by instructor Laura Manzano Arias in the gallery’s art studio.

The gallery has long offered a weekly drop-in art session for families on Sunday afternoons but heard some users were looking for “activities where they could maybe getting a little more hands-on” and “have a little more of a guided experience in the art-making process,” said Anna Miccolis, community art and education co-ordinator.

“Second Saturdays were really born out of that.”

Children must be accompanied by an adult for the sessions held on the second Saturday of each month from 1 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.

Adults are expected to participate along with the kids, “and create something together, as a family,” Miccolis said.

“The instructor also takes a lot of care to make sure the activity is connected in some way to what we have on exhibit.”

This month’s session was Radial Printmaking, making stamps to create a pattern on paper inspired by Kaleidoscope, an exhibition celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Sarnia Quilters Guild.

Families register for Second Saturdays by calling the gallery at 519-336-8127, ext. 3226. Information about the program is also available on the gallery’s website, jnaag.ca.

It’s aimed at adults and children with all levels of art experience and ability.

“We want everyone to find a place where they can feel comfortable here and feel at home in the gallery,” Miccolis said.

There is a suggested donation of $10 per family to help cover material costs but Miccolis added, “that shouldn’t necessarily be a hindrance for people coming out.”

Second Saturdays was added in September to the gallery’s youth and family programs.

Upcoming Second Saturday sessions include:

March 9 – Watercolour Gemstones.

April 13 – String Art.

May 11 – Photography Challenge.

June 8 – Yarn Painting.

Sarnia Observer, Paul Morden
Sunday, February 10, 2019

Original Article