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   Children's Art Workshops & Schedule  

The Value of Art in the Park for your Child:
 
Michael Bonfante's dream was to build a park for children to learn about trees, plants, rocks and water.  He wanted the park to be an educational experience for the children.

 

The Art in the Park Workshops are a part of the educational mission of Gilroy Gardens. 
 
Art instruction in elementary schools is lacking, and in some cases, non-existent. To view the natural environment with new eyes provides a means to interpret what are observed using art concepts such as light and shadow, line variety, color, shape and texture.

 

Examples would include the texture of different barks, the variety of leaf shapes, color variations within a flower. The small size of the Art in the Park Workshops provides more individualized attention to each child, and removes the strict classroom setting. Workshops are brief, and attuned to the ages of the children to enhance their experience.

Where to sign up-

 

There will be a table next to the Welcome Center where you can sign your child up for that day's art workshop.

Children's Art in the Park Workshops are held each Tuesday during the summer season and are located at various places on the park grounds. There will be an information table as you come into the park.  Sign-ups are on the day of the workshop on a first-come, first-served basis. Currently, the workshops are free with park admission
 
Workshops are designed for children in grades K through 5 and last approximately 45 minutes.  The workshops provide the opportunity to observe and interpret The Gardens using a variety of art media, while learning about art concepts in a low-key, age-appropriate environment. Experienced artists, assisted by Gilroy Gardens docents, lead the workshops.  Workshop size is limited to enhance the individual child's experience.  A parent must accompany their child, however they are asked to allow the artists and docents to assist their child. 

 

Crayons and paper are provided for children who are too young to participate.  All materials are provided and are non-toxic.  Wipes for cleaning art-smudged fingers and paint smocks for poster paint workshops are provided.
 
Children may take their finished art projects with them, along with handouts outlining the workshops, with the exception of mural workshops and photography workshops.  For photography, kid-friendly cameras are supplied.  A link is provided to view the child's photographs online.
 
The workshops and a sampling of the children's art projects may be viewed on the monitor in the Art in the Park Gallery in the Red Barn Gifts.  A children's art show may happen in the future in the gallery. Check our gallery page for future exhibit information.
 
 

 

QUESTIONS?

Schedule 2014

Children’s Art Workshops  2014

Tuesdays 1:00 pm and 2:30 pm

 

  • June 10 – Sketchbook

  • June 17 – Photography- Playing with light and color: Colors represented in the Park

  • June 24 – Bees

  • July 1 – Mural

  • July 8 – Photography - Up and Down: vertical vs horizontal

  • July 15 – Cork printmaking and lesson on the cork oak trees in the Park

  • July 22 – Mural

  • July 29 – Photography - Near and Far: Close -up vs Distance

  • Aug 5 – Color Wheel - Color Mixing Magic

  • Aug 12 – Artist Trading Cards

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