2008 Woodie Awards
'Soaking in the Arts' to help kids create 3-D masterpieces
By: Frank Eslinger
Issue date: 3/14/08 Section: News
The CMU chapter of the National Art Education Association will host an art workshop in conjunction with Max's Place for children diagnosed with Autism and Asperger's syndrome on Saturday.
The event, called "Soaking in the Arts," will have members of the NAEA helping kids create 3-D art with clay from 2 to 4 p.m. in Wightman Hall Room 221. Max's Place is a local summer camp program for children diagnosed with various forms of Autism.
Sarah Pelto, Hancock senior and NAEA student chapter president, helped organize the event with representatives from Max's Place.
"(The children) will be creating sculptures - creatures with a function," she said. "We will start off by making the core of the sculpture out of homemade play dough. In addition to the play dough, there will be wire, glitter, tissue paper and other supplies. "
Students will get with a shoe box to develop a habitat or place in the world for their creature or sculpture to reside. They can decorate their habitats to whatever means they think necessary to satisfy themselves and the creature that lives there.
"NAEA views this project as the child's self portrait, and how they would like their world, if they could have it any way they wanted," Pelto said.
Pelto said she was excited to work with Max's Place.
"I was so excited to find Max's Place through their Web site," she said. "I have just recently become the president of NAEA, and I wanted to find ways to be involved with our local community and children."
Pelto said she has a passion for people and children with disabilities, and was looking forward to bringing art to the children.
Marie Lannen, a Mount Pleasant graduate student and Max's Place project director, hopes this event will help the kids' self-esteem.
Some of the kids have been bullied rather severely, she said, and school is hard for them.
"These kids have incredible drive," she said. "Primarily we want the children to feel comfortable among their peers. In a regular school environment, they are considered quirky and different. It's an opportunity to be together with like-minded peers.
news@cm-life.com
The event, called "Soaking in the Arts," will have members of the NAEA helping kids create 3-D art with clay from 2 to 4 p.m. in Wightman Hall Room 221. Max's Place is a local summer camp program for children diagnosed with various forms of Autism.
Sarah Pelto, Hancock senior and NAEA student chapter president, helped organize the event with representatives from Max's Place.
"(The children) will be creating sculptures - creatures with a function," she said. "We will start off by making the core of the sculpture out of homemade play dough. In addition to the play dough, there will be wire, glitter, tissue paper and other supplies. "
Students will get with a shoe box to develop a habitat or place in the world for their creature or sculpture to reside. They can decorate their habitats to whatever means they think necessary to satisfy themselves and the creature that lives there.
"NAEA views this project as the child's self portrait, and how they would like their world, if they could have it any way they wanted," Pelto said.
Pelto said she was excited to work with Max's Place.
"I was so excited to find Max's Place through their Web site," she said. "I have just recently become the president of NAEA, and I wanted to find ways to be involved with our local community and children."
Pelto said she has a passion for people and children with disabilities, and was looking forward to bringing art to the children.
Marie Lannen, a Mount Pleasant graduate student and Max's Place project director, hopes this event will help the kids' self-esteem.
Some of the kids have been bullied rather severely, she said, and school is hard for them.
"These kids have incredible drive," she said. "Primarily we want the children to feel comfortable among their peers. In a regular school environment, they are considered quirky and different. It's an opportunity to be together with like-minded peers.
news@cm-life.com
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