Park Trades Center... A Hidden Treasure

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The Park Trades Center...one of my favorite hidden spots in Kalamazoo.  You may have gone past this building a million times and never noticed it.  It is right in downtown Kalamazoo, on Kalamazoo Street and Park (just past McDonalds).  This old building has been revamped inside and taken over by local artists.  It is a maze of stairwells and creative studios that you have to visit during Art Hop.  (Next one is January 6th)  There are artists that do metal work, glass, paper, painting, jewelry, pottery and everything else you can imagine.  It is free and makes for a good night out!

Check out their website:

http://parktradescenter.com/

The Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo Calendar for December and January

Wondering what to do in these next couple wintery months?  Get immersed in the arts!  The Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo is a wonderful place to visit for ideas.  It shows events involving fine arts, dance, literacy, film, crafts, music and more!  Dive in and have fun!

Click here for more:
http://www.kazooart.org/calendar/index.asp

A Few Highlight Events:

Thursday, December 22, 2011
4-5:30
Make a Gift
Kalamazoo Public Library


Tuesday, December 27, 2011
2
Movie and Popcorn
Kalamazoo Public Library


Wednesday, December 28, 2011
3
Decorate Holiday Cookies
Kalamazoo Public Library


Friday, January 6, 2012
5 to 9 p.m.
Art Hop
Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo


Saturday, January 21, 2012
8p.m.
American Dance: Wellspring with The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra
Wellspring


Friday, January 27, 2012
8 p.m.
HARLEM GOSPEL CHOIR
MILLER AUDITORIUM

Upcoming at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts (KIA)

• Dec 13  ARTbreak : Between the Folds
• Dec 14  Art League Holiday Get-Together
• Dec 15  Exhibition Preview: The Strange Life of Objects
• Dec 17  Saturday Short Films for Kids
• Dec 17  The Strange Life of Objects Opens!

Check it out here:

http://www.kiarts.org/

In Need of Parent Volunteers

Parents-

I have a ton of beautiful artwork to put up and would love your help!  If you have an hour or two to offer before, during or after school, please let me know.  I am at St. Monica in the mornings and at St. Augustine in the afternoons.  I have found it hard to keep both schools current with just one person.  There are still Warm and Cool Colored Leaves up and it is now snowing!  My goodness.  Those are the first to go!  Hope to hear from you soon!

Thank you,
Ms. Presley

P.S. The best way to contact me is through my St. Augustine e-mail.  :)

St. Augustine Students Collaborate with The Spirit of Kalamazoo

Our first graders and Middle School Green Team paired up to create ornaments to adorn The Spirit of Kalamazoo's holiday tree and shop.  The Spirit of Kalamazoo is a new store that sells Kalamazoo spirit wear and Kalamazoo themed items.  They also sell Plainwell ice cream!!!  Yum! Please stop by the shop to see our students' artwork and support local business.  The staff is amazing and if you haven't had their ice cream...be prepare to get addicted!  

 

Look for this sign!  It is right next to the Rave Cinema in downtown Kalamazoo.

Go inside and you will find a beautiful tree filled with first grade and Middle School artwork made by our very own St. Augustine artists!

A close up of some of the hard work and creativity that was put into the project.

Way to go first graders and Middle School Green Team!  Your ornaments turned out amazing!

Thank you The Spirit of Kalamazoo for your support!

St. Monica 5th Grade Panoramic Cityscapes

Wow!  My 5th graders are a hard working group!  They have finished these stunning masterpieces and they now embrace the hallways of our school.  Parents, please stop by to have a closer look!  Here is the mini lesson plan:

Assignment: Panoramic Cityscapes

Benchmarks: ART.II.VA.EL.2: ART.I.VA.EL.1

Vocabulary: Panoramic, cityscape, silhouette, wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry water color techniques

Materials: 6” x 18” paper, watercolor, paintbrushes, 6” x 18” black construction paper, chalk, metallic paint, glue, scissors

Resources: Cities of the World Book, project example

Self-Notes:  In one class session, students will watercolor their background, learning wet-on-dry and wet-on-wet watercolor techniques.  In the following session, students will study photographs of cities at night and sunset, creating a silhouette effect.  Students will create their own silhouette of a city and add metallic paint to add a variety of lights.  

Essential Question: What is a silhouette and how is it created?