United South End Settlements' Children's Art Centre

South End News: Art for humanity’s sake

2012-01-19T22:09:00.000-05:00

Check out this weeks article featured in the South End News, below is an excerpt:

Revelle, a well-known figure in the South End community, is the Director of Arts and Culture at the USES, a position that comes with a host of different duties. She supervises the USES’ Children’s Art Center, which provides arts activities to children age three to 18. She also designs arts and culture programs for seniors and manages the USES’ gallery at the Harriet Tubman House, with the goal of using arts to educate children.

"In general, the arts have been cut out of the schools," said Revelle. "But ... we think the arts are a way of helping students learn in other ways."

To read the full article, follow this link HERE.

FREE Teen Art Classes!

2011-12-30T17:43:00.000-05:00

United South End Settlements’ Children’s Art Centre has created a NEW program called Teen Art in the South End. We quickly realized that most of our participants age out of our programs at 10 years old, limiting access to creative and engaging opportunities. Thus, the Teen Art class was born! Suitable for youth ages 12 – 15 years old and completely FREE. This eight week course meets every Friday from 4 – 6 PM and exposes participants to a variety of arts methods, techniques and culture. Through a partnership with the Boston Centre for the Arts, our classes often visit real working artist’s studios, trips to local galleries and museums and invite artists for an on-site workshop. There is no other opportunity like this!

Winter classes begin on January 6, 2012 and you can follow this link HERE to register for FREE!

Create and Connect Tip of the Month

2011-12-30T17:40:00.000-05:00

The holidays and winter season are a great time to teach your child about the act and importance of giving. Making presents for family members and friends is a simple and meaningful way for families to connect and create together! Here is a simple and beautiful project appropriate for children ages 2 and up that can be enjoyed all year round.

Nature Collage Sun Catcher

Materials Needed:
- 1 embroidery hoop (these inexpensive hoops make fantastic reusable frames for all kinds of art projects and can be purchased online or at craft stores)
- Clear contact paper
- Natural materials (flower petals, small leaves, pine needles, etc.), dried for several days
- Small piece of string or ribbon

Instructions:
- Peel off protective paper on half of your sheet of contact paper and lay contact paper out on table
- Place hoop on top of clear paper, and encourage child to stick leaves and petals down inside the hoop, arranging them however they would like.
- Remove hoop and carefully double over the contact paper so the leaves and flowers are sandwiched in between two layers of the paper.
- Remove inner circle from the embroidery hoop and stretch the contact paper over the frame, tightening the screws so the paper is stretched tightly over the circle.
- Attach a small piece of ribbon to the screw and hang from a sunny window (or give as a gift.) Enjoy your sun catcher all year long!

The Legacy of Charlotte Dempsey

2011-12-30T17:37:00.000-05:00

Ms. Dempsey teaches a painting class to elementary

school students, ca. 1955.

Throughout the CAC’s 98-year history, Charlotte Dempsey has remained one of its most important organizational figures. Dempsey served as Director of the Children’s Art Centre for over 40 years, from 1930-1971. She developed daily art classes for children and a variety of programs to help foster an appreciation for the arts. The quality of these programs brought the Centre international recognition, with Dempsey travelling to France in 1937 to serve as an art education advisor to the French Ministry of Education.

Throughout her career as director, she worked to secure funding for programs and scholarships and even maintained the courtyard and garden in front of the Art Centre. Ms. Dempsey’s commitment to the children and families of the South End and Lower Roxbury remains an inspiration to this day.

Learn more about the CAC’s amazing history by visiting the Northeastern University Archives.

Resource of the Month: Creativity Matters E-Book

2011-12-30T17:34:00.000-05:00

At the Children’s Art Centre, a firm belief in the power and importance of creativity to children’s cognitive, social, and emotional well-being is at the center of everything we do. Across the field of education and child development, creativity is increasingly being recognized as an essential core skill necessary for success in the 21st century. But what is creativity exactly, and why is it so important? And how can we best encourage and foster creative development in our children?

These questions and more are answered in simple, straightforward, substantive ways in Creativity Matters, a FREE downloadable E-Book by author and educational blogger Amanda Morgan. This book is a fantastic and approachable resource for parents, teachers, or caregivers, and is easily downloadable as a PDF file. Click here to download your free copy, and happy reading!

Spotlight On: BCA Community Windows

2011-12-30T17:31:00.003-05:00

This fall, United South End Settlements was invited to participate in Boston Center for the Arts’ Community Windows Project at the Mills Gallery in the South End. Blueprints: Boston’s South End Re-imagined was an exhibition of works created by students from the Children’s Art Centre Youth Programs that centered on understanding and reimagining our community.

In this collaborative project, youth explored different artistic processes and techniques from creating graphic cutouts and stencils to drafting floor plans and elevations to convey their representation of the historic South End neighborhood. Mapping, drawing and model-making of the South End inspired these young artists in creating a unique vision of the neighborhood imagined through their own eyes.

Students’ work was on display at the Mills Gallery from November 30th – December 7th.

Community Windows features artwork from local organizations on display between Mills Gallery exhibitions throughout the year. Through workshops at the BCA and at partner sites, artists of all ages curate exhibitions of their work or create new, site-specific artwork for the Mills Gallery windows. The Community Windows project is just one of the many ways that BCA partners with the Children’s Art Centre and USES to enhance our programming and foster an appreciation for the arts in the youth we serve. Many thanks to the Boston Center for the Arts for this unique opportunity!

Register Now for the CAC’s February Vacation Arts Program!

2011-12-30T17:30:00.000-05:00

Registration is now open for the Children’s Art Centre’s February Vacation Arts Program! This full-day program for children ages 4.5-12 runs from February 21st to 24th during the Boston Public School’s vacation week. The Vacation Arts Program is a non-competitive environment that encourages each young artist to develop their interests, grow in their own personal style and work with others as they explore the world of art.

Each day, children will be given the opportunity to engage in a wide variety of visual arts projects and techniques ranging from crafts projects to painting, printmaking and sculpture. Children will be taught traditional technical skills but will also be encouraged to work on original creations and will be given freedom to use their imaginations for innovation and creative problem-solving. Children will also participate in yoga and music enrichment classes, as well as a field trip to the Museum of Fine Arts.

New this year, we will be excepting a limited number of 11 & 12 year olds into the program as Leaders in Art who will assist Art Instructors with various lessons. LIA's will help facilitate, lead, set up, clean up and encourage younger participants.

Breakfast, lunch, snack, the field trip, and art materials are all included in the enrollment cost, and subsidized slots are available based on need. Spaces are limited in this unique and engaging program. Visit the following link to learn more and register:

February Vacation Arts Program

Thank you Interns and Volunteers!

2011-12-20T16:33:00.001-05:00

Children's Art Centre programming would not be possible without the hard work of our interns and volunteers. This semester, the CAC had the privilege of working with two interns from Lesley University and Emmanuel College and six Northeastern University Service-Learning volunteers. These students acted as teaching assistants, assisted with student assessment and curriculum prep, and washed out more than a couple paintbrushes! Their hard work, dedication, knowledge, and passion made them an invaluable contribution to our work and to the USES mission. Thank you interns and volunteers! You will be missed!

Interns Autumn Pena and Sarah Spiezio with their parting gifts: coffee mugs signed by children from USES' Early Childhood Education program.

Open Haunted House

2011-11-05T15:42:00.000-04:00

Each year the USES' After School Program hosts an Open "Haunted" House, turning the Children's Art Centre into a dark and spooky adventure. Food was coordinated by the USES' Parent Council, face painting and raffle prizes were also available for families. Join us next year to see what's in store!

Spotlight on: The CAC and Thrive in 5

2011-11-05T15:26:00.000-04:00

The Children's Art Centre is thrilled to begin expanding access to our early childhood arts programming in the South End and Lower Roxbury community. In partnership with Thrive in 5, a citywide school readiness initiative, the CAC has begun to partner with local housing developments to offer on-site Arts in Early Learning classes to residents free of charge. Through these partnerships, low income families now have access to resources from the Children's Art Centre that teach parents how to engage and improve school-readiness skills though the arts. Participating families receive a voucher to attend a full session of classes at the Children's Art Centre and a family engagement pack full of activities and hands-on materials for continuing arts-based learning at home! Early in October, a pilot class was offered at Villa Victoria housing communityin collaboration with the non-profit Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción (IBA), and in mid-November, a second program will take place at Mandela Homes Residents Cooperative Association.

Along with our subsidized program slots, school partnerships, and free in-house arts enrichment offered to all USES youth program participants, this program serves as an important opportunity for the CAC to pursue its mission of making quality arts education accessible for all children and families in our community. By supporting the Children's Art Centre and our programs, you make this work possible - thank you!

The Art of Change: Building the Future of the Children's Art Centre

2011-11-05T15:21:00.002-04:00

If you or your family has visited the Children's Art Centre in the past year, you have probably noticed a lot of new faces, new classes, new materials, and new programming - there certainly have beenmany changes in recent months. While these program developments are exciting, they can also seem confusing or overwhelming at times. To help families better navigate and understand all the new programming in store, we would like to invite you in for a closerlook at our structural and programming changes, and how they can benefit you, your children, and our community:

Preschool Arts in Early Learning Series and Early Childhood Programming

Harvest Exploration with Ms. Helen

The Children's Art Centre's Arts in Early Learning Series is comprised of 3 newarts classes designed for children ages 2.5 - 4.5 years old and their caregiver. The Children's Art Centre is offering these classes in three different formats: as arts enrichment to our Early Childhood Education program, as community classes, and as on-siteprograms for local housing developments in partnership with Thrive in 5 (read more below). The Children's Art Centre developed these classes to offer the following to our participants:

An Innovative Arts-Based Curriculum: The curriculum of our classes was developed to integrate the arts with developmentally appropriate learning to promote school readiness. Childrenin our classes may learn about physics through creative movement and art, or explore sequencing and cause and effect through dramatic play.

Sustainable Teaching Staff: Our new classes are taught in-house by USES staff - Helen Schroeder is an EEC certified preschool teacher with deep knowledge, passion, and experiencewith integrating arts methods and early learning.

Lower Overall Cost: Our new class models enable us to provide quality classes at a lower cost.

Subsidized Spaces: As a non-profit community organization, an important part of USES' mission is serving low-income families. The Arts in Early Learning Series model allows theChildren's Art Centre to provide more subsidized spaces for low-income families.

Investing in Quality Materials, Equipment, and Supplies: Already, our new class model has enabled us to invest in quality supplies and equipment to enhance our classes. We lookforward to being able to further enhance our classes and children's learning by continuing to invest in quality materials in the future.

Greater Flexibility: We are excited to be able to offer busy families greater flexibility in scheduling in the future, including make-up classes and mini sessions.

What's Next? School-Aged Arts In Education

After School Art Studio: Group 2

With the recent addition of a new Arts-In-Education Specialist, the Children's Art Centre is also working to develop and enhance our offering for school-aged children and tweens. Our new arts curriculumwill integrate core subjects with the arts, be more mission-driven in its scope and reach, and focus on goals for quality arts instruction.

Overall, changes in Children's Art Centre programming fall under the category of building capacity - in our staff, curriculum, space, outcomes, and community outreach. With this increased capacity,we are excited to continue the legacy and mission of this historic neighborhood institution and to move the Children's Art Centre forward into the future. As always, we greatly welcome the feedback, suggestions, comments, and ideas from our participants. Havean idea on how to make the Children's Art Centre better? Please contact us by calling, emailing, or stopping by our space.

NEW Playspace Options!

2011-10-06T11:09:00.000-04:00

Our Playspace options are a great alternative to the playground once the weather gets colder. You can now buy 4 visits at a time and interchange them between Tuesday's and Thursday's. Sign up with a group of friends to have weekly playdates! When you run out of vistits, just buy more.

Ages: Infant – 4 + Adult
4 visits for only $45!
Location: 3rd floor playspace
Self-guided, no instructor
BUY NOW!

Creative Movement Playspace
Tuesdays 3:00- 5:00pm
October 4 - December 13, 2011

This drop-in open playspace is great for first time explorers as youth become accustomed to a new environment and learn to play together. Creative movement equipment will be set up as you guide your child at their own pace. Sign up with friends as a group for weekly play dates or just for the convenience of having a safe and supportive environment available as an alternative to the playground.

Dramatic Playspace
Thursdays 3:00 – 5:00 pm
October 6 - December 15, 2011
closed November 24th

Explore the world of your child’s imagination as they engage in various dramatic play activities in a play kitchen, at the tool bench, in a club house, and helping each other in career costumes on a stage area. Younger youth will be able to manipulate age-appropriate toys to increase their curiosity and coordination. This non-structured play time will keep your little ones busy as a drop-in alternative to the playground.

October Newsletter

2011-10-05T13:17:00.000-04:00

"South End in 100 Years" Project Wins National UNCA Award

During the Children’s Art Centre’s April Vacation Arts Program, the CAC partnered with youth at Ellis Memorial to compete in the United Neighborhood Centers of America (UNCA) Youth Visioning project.

For the project, youth explored photos and participated in a lively discussion about the South End 100 years ago, learning about architecture, community resources, services, and even advertising. From there, students worked to create their vision of the South End 100 years from now, creating structures from futuristic gardens to polor bear rescue sites out of recycled materials. The students’ creations were compiled in a video that was submitted to UNCA’s Youth Visioning Project, a nationwide competition for programs serving youth ages 2-24 years old.

In midsummer, the CAC and Ellis Memorial were informed that their project, The South End in 100 Years, had won the national first place award for the 2-9 yrs. age category, and had also tied for first place across all age groups! Directors of both programs will receive an all expense paid trip to UNCA’s national conference in October to accept this award. Congratulations to all youth participants from Ellis Memorial and the Children’s Art Centre for their award-winning creativity!

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

Spotlight On: New CAC Staff Will Whelan

The Children’s Art Centre is thrilled to welcome our newest staff member! Will Whelan has joined our staff as the program’s Arts-In-Education Specialist. Will will be working to build curriculum and community partnerships with area schools and organizations, provide arts enrichment to the USES After School program, and lead our new Teen Art in the South End Program. He comes to the Children’s Art Centre with years of experience in the South End Community, and will play an integral role in growing and expanding CAC programming.

Will was born and raised here in Boston, grew up in Allston, and attended Commonwealth School. He went to college at the University of Chicago, majoring in Art History and Studio Art. While in school, Will traveled to South Africa, tutored in local schools, worked as a tile mosaic muralist, and played a lot of ultimate Frisbee. Back in Boston, he attended Lesley University, receiving his Masters Degree in Art Education. For the past three years Will has been teaching art primarily in South End, first with the BSAFE program at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, and most recently at the Boston Center for the Arts. Says Will, “This is one of my favorite neighborhoods and I’m pleased that I can continue teaching here.”

Q: Who was your favorite teacher and why?

My favorite teacher has to be Mr. Young, who taught Modern European History my senior year of high school. He was very unassuming, but from the first day we knew that he was totally passionate about helping us understand some very difficult subjects. I think I learned more about reading history, political theory and philosophy in his class than in most of college. He was also one of those teachers whose zany quotes you write down.

Q: Why did you decide to become an art educator?

I think the teaching instinct runs in my family, and art for me, the traditions and the kind of creative thought practiced by all artists, is an important lens through which to view the world. I want to bring that understanding to students.

Q: What is the way that you feel arts education most benefits kids?

I believe engaging in any creative pursuit is vital for growth and learning, and forms a counterpart to the more quantitative learning they do - which is equally important. In particular, the visual arts allow children to express aspects of their experience that are very direct which cannot be expressed any other way. Also, it’s really fun to get messy with paint and clay.

Q: How does teaching influence the art you make?

Well, for one thing it helps to improve my craft because I use many of the same materials. Also, more and more I realize that my own work really does not exist in a vacuum, that it has to do with the people and events around me, so listening to their ideas and seeing how they create gives me a lot to think about. I like to think that even young children are already beginning to shape the culture and ideas of the world they will inhabit when they grow up!

South End Open Studios

2011-09-18T18:19:00.000-04:00

South End Open Studios were this weekend and the Children's Art Centre stole the show! Thank you to the many families and little friends for two days of creativity. If you missed us this weekend the current exhibition "Why do you like to paint big things" will be traveling to the Harriet Tubman Gallery (566 Columbus Ave) as part of the Community Colors exhibit. Join us for the Opening Reception on October 13, 2011 from 6 - 8pm.

“Why do you like to paint big things?”
a collaborative project with South End artist
JoAnn Rothschild

As part of the Children’s Art Centre’s 2011 Summer Arts Program, youth had an opportunity to visit the studio of artist JoAnn Rothschild, an abstract painter living and working in Boston’s South End. Students prepared questions to ask Ms. Rothschild about her work and life as an artist, and explored some of the artist’s recent work. JoAnn also shared some insight into her process and favorite materials. After this introduction, students had the opportunity to create a large collaborative canvas painting and large drawings, working alongside the artist in her studio. The day ended with a mini critique where students discussed and complimented one another’s work, and a picnic lunch. This was the first time many students had the opportunity to talk to a professional artist about her work, and was a valuable way to connect to the vibrant arts community in the South End.

Many thanks to JoAnn Rothschild for her generous contribution to Children’s Art Centre programming!

The Language of Learning: The Arts and School Readiness

2011-09-08T15:51:00.000-04:00

Early childhood education is a crucial component in promoting school readiness, particularly children at risk. In the short term, children involved in early learning programs are better able to follow directions, problem solve, and join in activities, all important skills when they enter kindergarten. Long term, quality early childhood programs have been found to increase high school graduation rates and decrease unemployment. In fact, every $1 invested in high quality early childhood programs saves the taxpayer $7. Yet the question remains how all children, and especially those who need it most, can best be impacted duing these important early years.
Within this data, the arts hold a special place in addressing the issues of school readiness and the achievement gap:

- The arts provide an ideal environment for learning because the entire body is engaged, and events are registered by several senses - so important for stimulating memory!

- The arts also benefit diverse learners, as there are multiple ways of learning core cognitive skills.

- The hands-on nature of arts-based education is perfectly suited to young learners, and its accessibility allows culturally and liguistically diverse groups of children to particpate and be successful.

In short, the arts have a unique power in promoting the skills necesary for all children to suceed in school.

At the Children’s Art Centre, our new Arts in Early Learning Series classes harness this power to use the arts as a language of learning. Our unique classses were created using the Massachusetts Early Learning Frameworks, and integrate core subjects into every activity in fun and innovative ways. Arts in Early Learning classes promote the school readiness skills children need in a creative, social environment, and together, they align with the Children’s Art Centre’s goal to place the arts at the core of every child’s education, from the very beginning.

Spotlight On: New CAC Programming

The Children’s Art Centre is excited to begin two new programs this fall! Learn more about our new class offerings for preschoolers and teens.

Teen Art in the South End

The Boston Center for the Arts and the Children’s Art Centre have come together to engage youth with workshops that foster an appreciation for the arts and that serve as a national model of sucessful neighborhood engagement. Teen Art in the South End is a FREE program open to youth ages 12-15 and will involve gallery visits, art making, conversations with artists in the community, and more.

In the program’s Fall Session, Focus on Drawing, Students will examine how artists use drawings in preliminary stages of the creative process to convey an idea.
Registration is currently open for our teen programming. Visit www.uses.org to learn more!

Arts in Early Learning Series

The Arts in Early Learning Series are comprised of three new classes for children ages 2.5-4.5 and their parents or caregivers. These innovative classes use the arts to meet developmental benchmarks across the early childhood curriculum.

Rhythm & Rhyme In this creative movement and music class, we will wiggle our bodies to the beat while building understanding of space, patterns, our bodies, and how things move. We will work together to create a rhythm band, and learn about science and weather by dancing out our very own rainstorm.

Uncover & Discover In this sensory exploration class, art meets science as we explore our senses and explore interesting new materials that encourage preschoolers to develop descriptive language and inquiry skills, and experiment with properties of math and volume.

Stories & Stage In this dramatic play class, our imaginations will run wild as we build verbal skills through collaborative storytelling and puppet theater activites. Children will build their self-confidence and try on new roles, learning about different jobs that make up our community as our space transforms into a toy store, science lab, community garden, and more!

We believe that art is more than “cute craft projects” - it enhances the way children learn! Registration is now open for these unique new classes. Visit www.uses.org to register and learn more.

Summer field trips and fun!

2011-08-29T09:12:00.001-04:00

Making flags for the Parade.

Family portraits for Grandparents Day.

Stamping during Open Studios.

Abstract canvas painting.

It's almost there!

Visiting Artist JoAnne Rothschild.

Paper mache masks.

the dream theme...

2011-08-21T20:48:00.000-04:00

Dream Catchers

If I were a Fashion Designer

Wonders at the Mills Gallery

From idea to Execution

Dream-scapes with homemade Puff Paint

and THAT'S what it's all about!

2011-08-09T18:05:00.001-04:00

Thank you for another wonderful year of Arts in the Park. The weather was perfect and we had so many volunteer helpers to make the day run smoothly. Thank you USES staff for pitching in this year. I am so happy to be part of such an amazing team. Thank you vendors for providing the many fun and creative activities year after year. Thank you to our sponsors for making today happen! I hope that we sparked new creativity and interest for our budding neighborhood artists. See you next year!

drawing with the Boston Center for the Arts

painting with the Museum of Fine Arts

over 650 families in attendance!

enjoying free sno-cones

squirt painting with Mama & Me

Hokey Pokey flash mob coordinator

Summer Arts Program: In Numbers and In Stories

2011-08-08T19:48:00.000-04:00

The CAC’s Summer Arts Program is in full swing! This summer-long program for school-aged children is designed to expose youth to a variety of arts and to nurture creativity. By the end of the summer, this will be the 2011 Summer Arts Program by the numbers:

77 youth served

49 subsidized slots for low income families

4 instructors

6 interns and volunteers

3 youth workers

58 enrichment classes

20 field trips

2 murals

18 gallons of paint (and counting)

Over 1,500 art projects

139 portfolios created

10 weeks

475 hours of art making

1 Summer of Art!

But of course, numbers only tell part of our story. The best way to learn more is to hear from Summer Arts Program participants, instructors, and families, in their own words.

NIKA – Summer instructor, 2 years with program

“I love the diversity of this program. We’re really getting kids from different worlds to come together and learn about each other. There is such a sense of community and sense of family here. And also a shared interest – these kids are so creative and curious. Watching them take off on a project is so gratifying and exciting.”

TIANA – Boston Youth Fund Youth Worker and sophomore at Boston Latin

“This is my first real job. It’s a chance to gain experience working in a professional atmosphere. It’s helped me gain independence and achieve my goals. I know when I got my paycheck that I did it and I deserve it.”

RAVEN – Participant, 6th year in program

“I just like coming back. In school we only do art for an hour, and here we do it all day. I didn’t know I was good at photography until we did a project last year, and now I know. This is the best camp ever.”

AMY – Participant, 3rd year in program

“In winter I kept on asking, ‘Mom, am I going to go to art camp?’ She always said yes, but I kept on asking. I like to paint a lot, and I like learning how to do art from different places. I’ve learned that if you want to find out how to do art you have to try it first. Also, you don’t have to only use your hands to make art.”

EMNET – Participant, 4th year in program

“It’s fun to socialize with people that like the same thing as you. You can talk more about it and think up new ideas. The projects are really open here. It makes me do better art because I’m able to do more creative things.”

JEN – Parent, child in CAC programs for 4 years

“We just love it. This program is really able to deal with kids for who they are. Our daughter has been shunned by some different camps, and exposing kids to that kind of discrimination can be terrible. This camp takes our daughter as she is, works with her, and makes her feel like she belongs. I feel like she’s safe there – safe to be her.”

To our Summer Arts Program youth, families, instructors, interns, youth workers, and volunteers, thanks for a great summer!

Week 6 of the Summer Arts Program

2011-08-07T21:30:00.000-04:00

We sew stuffed animals

We make fairy houses from nature

We paint murals

We make paper mache puppets

We make robot pinatas

We create things with sand

We use fabric

CAC in the News!

2011-08-07T21:27:00.000-04:00

South End Patch
ByChristopher Treacy

Set behind the privacy of a rustic brick wall in a beautiful South End courtyard, the Children's Art Center (CAC) is rife with historical and recreational value. For almost a century, as a facet of United South End Settlements (USES), the CAC has been bringing children and art closer together, encouraging exploration and self expression in ways that—perhaps now more than ever—kids aren’t experiencing in public schools.
Originally erected in 1914, the CAC was the first public fine arts museum designed exclusively for children. It has since become a neighborhood tradition through its various programs for everyone from infants to teens via Community Classes, Creative Playspace, Vacation Arts Programs, On-site Enrichment Classes and ‘Tween’ Programming (launching this fall in conjunction with the Boston Center for the Arts).
Art Center manager Chelsea Revelle stressed the importance of continued funding to maintain the subsidized nature of programming at the CAC, where activity groups have low-income slots for South End/Lower Roxbury kids built into their design.
“We’re stepping up our birthday party rentals this fall to offer a variety of weekend-long packages,” she said. “Along with proceeds of sales from our newly produced Create & Connect activity guide, that will help support additional free programming.”

View the full article HERE.

Summer's Half Over!

2011-07-31T21:10:00.001-04:00

Urban Forts

Cooling off at the fountain

Self Portraits with Puff Paint!

Bubble Printing

Robot Characters

Stop-motion animation!

2011-07-12T19:38:00.000-04:00

Untitled from Chelsea Revelle on Vimeo.

Untitled from Chelsea Revelle on Vimeo.

Untitled from Chelsea Revelle on Vimeo.

Meet Our Summer Arts Staff...

2011-07-11T23:27:00.000-04:00

Elissa Martel-
Elissa is a Brookline-native who has spent all of her life exploring the Boston-area, and she is so excited that she is getting to know the South End neighborhood and community. She graduacted from Wesleyan University in 2010 with a degree in Enlish, and has been an instructor during the CAC's February Vacation Arts Program and for the USES After School Enrichment. Elissa enjoys singing, reading, making, and teaching art. She will be moving to Brooklyn this fall to start work with an AmeriCorps service program

Sarah Casados-
Sarah Casados is a musician and a teacher that believes everyone should have some art in his or her life. Music, dance, painting, sculpture, photography, or whatever speaks to you. She is currently a Dalcroze music teacher in the South End of Boston. After teaching music for six years in the San Francisco Bay area, she came to Cambridge to study at Longy School of Music. There she earned a Masters in Music Degree with an emphasis in Dalcroze Eurhythmics. Sarah has taught her Music Motion class with the CAC through a partnership with Blackstone Elementary School and the USES After School enrichment.

Nika Gorini-
Nika Gorini grew up in Brookline, MA and went to college on Baltimore, Maryland, where she studied art and art history. This is Nika's second year as a Summer Arts instructor, and she has also taught Art History Jr and well as Visual Arts classes though the CAC. Nika also works as a tutor and a Thrive in 5 playgroup leader. In Nika's words, "When I was growing up both my parents were painters, so I have been surrounded by creativity my whole life. I love to sew stuffed animals, collage and draw. My own artwork is always inspired by the work I see my students make."

Christina Muscatello-
Christina is a world traveler, a student of the arts and history, actress, singer, dancer, kickball player, antiques collector and most recently, ukulele player. She grew up in upstate New York, but loves Boston, especially all of the ducks. She is in graduate school at Lesley University for Arts Education and looks forward to a summer of sharing her love of the arts with the next generation. In Christina's words, "Since I was a little girl, I have always tried to live my life with the words of the Man in the Yellow Hat from Curious George in mind: 'Anyone can memorize facts and figures. The real way to learn anything is to get out and experience it. Let your curiosity lead you."

There are still spaces available in our Summer Arts Program for ages 4.5 - 10 years old. Just visit our website www.uses.org to learn more!

MFA Free Fun Friday

2011-07-04T12:01:00.001-04:00

Free Fun Friday at the Museum of Fine Arts was our first field trip for Summer Arts Program. Youth learned about the “Chihuly: Through the Looking Glass” exhibit, drew in the galleries, witnessed a Diablo Glass Studio Demonstration and had way too much fun playing with ribbons!

Summer Arts: Session 1 Highlights

2011-07-04T11:53:00.000-04:00

word association shrines

pasta with paint sauce

pastels & geometric shapes

sand mandalas

Group B collaborative project

free sketching

self portrait

Family Fun on Rutland was FUN!

2011-06-12T14:09:00.001-04:00

Thank you everyone who trekked out in the rain to join us for our Family Fun on Rutland event yesterday and congratulations to our Parent Council who raised over $800 dollars from hosting the BBQ and raffle again this year.

Easel Painting Masterpiece

Sensory Fun with handmade play dough

Budding Picasso

Face Painting

City Stage Performance of Tom Thumb

starring Tom Thumb

with guest appearance from the Black Crow

Creativity for the 21st Century: The Promise and Power of Arts Education

2011-06-01T09:12:00.002-04:00

At the time of its creation, few could have predicted the monumental impact of the internet on our economy. In recent years, the internet has led to the creation of millions of specialized jobs and billions of dollars in business, and has transformed our social, commercial, and political landscape - but a mere three decades ago, it was just an idea.

The ever faster development of new technology and job sectors such as the internet has led educators to address a difficult question: how can we educate children to prepare them for this new, more innovative economy, and for 21st century jobs that don’t even exist yet? The answer lies in teaching students new skills, so-called “21st century skills” that can be adapted to a variety of careers. These 21st century skills include problem solving, critical and creative thinking, dealing with ambiguity and complexity, and performing work across disciplines. To teach these skills and more in ways that motivate and engage students, educators have increasingly turned to the arts.

Growing bodies of research, including a recent report released by the White House, zero in on high quality and innovative arts education as being crucial to teaching students skills that will make them successful in both the short term and long term - even if the arts are never directly a part of their career. Student achievement as measured by standardized tests, transfer of skills, greater motivation and engagement, development of crucial 21st century skills, teamwork, and other social competencies have all been shown at arts-rich schools. Despite these findings, however, not all students have equal access to an arts-rich education, with lack of time and resources posing large obstacles.

An exciting solution lies in the field of integrated arts, where various art forms are integrated directly into the curriculum and used to teach different concepts. Arts specialists from schools, partner organizations, or the community work directly with teachers, finding ways to use the flexibility and creative nature of the arts to help students learn concepts ranging from physics to history. The field of integrated arts show that an arts-rich education is not only necessary, it is feasible for every school. Now, more than ever, educators and school leaders must use the arts to enable students to build a successful future - no matter what that future looks like.

Final UNCA Project Video!

2011-05-24T18:45:00.001-04:00

Untitled from Chelsea Revelle on Vimeo.

...and their families

2011-05-08T08:33:00.000-04:00

Community Arts Initiative artist, Raul Gonzalez has been working with the United South End Settlements' After School Program for months now creating portraits of their families. This idea tied in the Museum of Fine Arts collection to discuss the importance of families and role models and how they are often represented. Using pen and ink on stained paper, a technique that artist Raul Gonzalez practices, youth drew their families depicting them in important places with memorabilia that is significant to their characteristics. The work is now on display in the Linde Family Wing at the Museum of Fine Arts. Each child's drawing is displayed from a branch of a painted tree mural which depicts the rich community we all live.

Choosing Open-Ended Toys that Encourage Creative Play

2011-05-06T19:37:00.000-04:00

Walk into any large toy store and it's easy to get overwhelmed. With all the flashing, whirling, technology-laden toys available, it's easy to forget that it's often the most simple toys that your child benefits from. Research on child development and creativity has found that the best toys for children are "open-ended toys." These foster children's imagination and have the potential to be different every time a child plays with them, requiring more thinking and creativity on the part of your children and allowing them to direct the play themselves. Look for these open-ended toys to encourage creative plain in your child:

Building Blocks: By stacking and building, children are learning problem-solving and visual-spatial skills, as well as strengthening language skills. Blocks also grow with your child, making them an economical choice. You can even make your own out of cardboard!

Dramatic Play Toys: Costumes (for both genders), pretend food, and puppets help your child understand the world around them, and encourage language and narrative development as children make up stories and scenarios. Group dramatic play can also teach children how to work together, important for social development.

Art Materials: Paint and clay are two especially open-ended art materials, letting your children explore their senses and use their creativity as they develop fine motor and cognitive skills. Make sure to choose non-toxic and washable varieties.

HAVE FUN!

a Message from Mama & Me

2011-04-30T23:02:00.000-04:00

Tuesday was a great start to our Paint Playground class. I hope you all enjoyed working with liquid watercolor. For those of you that couldn't make it to our first class, we used liquid watercolor with stamps, dab-a-dots, sponge wands, and spray bottles! Listed below are recipes and directions for making flubber and home made stamp pads at home.

I look forward to a new session of paint exploration. As mentioned in class, this session each child will be working on his/her own individual canvas painting. We will apply several layers to the canvas, using a variety of printmaking techniques, such as marble painting, using match box cars, prickly balls, paint scrapers, and more! Hopefully by the end of class, your child will be able to take home a masterpiece that you'll be proud to hang on your walls.
Additionally, we hope to take advantage of the warming weather this session by taking our art outdoors when possible. We plan on making an ice time capsule, and during our last few meeting times we'll watch it melt in the sun, as we enjoy a morning of body painting outdoors!

So, to be prepared for each class, we ask that you please bring the following with you.

T-shirt or Smock (we will not have any this session to provide)
wash cloth and hand towel (MUCH, MUCH easier to clean up painted hands!)
Change of clothing (In case they get wet from water tables or covered in paint!)
Croc's or rubber soles shoes (Paint makes the floor slippery, please wear a rubber soled shoe. Croc's are great because they are easy to wash out if they get full of paint)

Additionally, since we do plan on working on a canvas throughout the session, we ask that each family purchase a stretched canvas, 8x11 or larger, and Mod Podge to seal your child's painting between classes. Please see details below for specifications and suggestions on where to buy these supplies. Please bring your canvas to class next week, as we'll apply our first layer of paint to them!

DIY: How to make

flubber at home

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups warm water
2 cups elmer white glue
food coloring
1 1/3 cups warm water
3 teaspoons borax

Directions:

In one container mix 1 1/2 cups warm water, white glue and a few drops of food coloring.
In a second container mix 1 1/3 cups of warm water and Borax.
Mix the Borax mixture into the glue mixture until combined. (may be some liquid in bottom of container).
Place Fubber on a tray and let stand for a few minutes before playing with it!
Store in air tight container

DIY: Homemade stamp pads

Washable stamp pads are hard to find for children. Additionally many of the "washable" stamp pads aren't as "washable" as they claim! So, save money (and clothing) by making your own stamp pads at home.

Directions:

Cut a piece of felt, glue it down to a plastic tray.

Dilute liquid watercolor with water in a spray bottle, and spritz the felt until it is moist.
Press stamper into felt pad, and stamp away!
Re-Use your stamp pad, by washing the excess ink out afterward and let the stamp pad air dry.

Volunteer Appreciation Day

2011-04-30T13:42:00.000-04:00

Coffee ice cream cake donated by JP Licks

The Children's Art Centre has many interns and volunteers that help out all year long with programming, on art projects, and as teacher assistants. Without their hard work and passion for the arts we would not be able to support our youth with quality and high energy. As a token of our thanks, Donna Owens coordinated a Volunteer Appreciation Day with ice cream and cakes donated by JP Licks and Ben & Jerry's.

Thank you and Good Luck to:

Alyson Kantor - (Wheelock College): Creative Playspace Monitor

Megan Langelier - (Lesley University): Teacher Assistant for Community Classes

Cristina Fernandez - Blackstone Elementary Visual Arts Assistant

Erin Riley - (Northeastern University): Inclusion and Disabilities Blackstone Elementary Visual Arts Assistant

Candice Ryan - Early Childhood Education Enrichment Assistant

LandWave Dedication

2011-04-25T20:30:00.000-04:00

You may have noticed something different at Peter's Park, located in the South End recently. A nearly 100 foot LandWave peaking from the ball park and stretching down Washington Street was dedicated today by Mayor Thomas M. Menino. This 10 year project has finally come to an end which highlights the historic neighborhood by commemorating 'The Neck' of Boston, a narrow stretch of land 200 years ago then known as the Shawmut Peninsula that once connected Downtown Boston to the mainland. You can see a detailed map and plaque installed on one end of the shimmering crest. Kudos to South End resident and Children's Art Centre parent, Fritz Klaetke for having a hand in the graphics.

Read more about the LandWave in the Boston Globe here.

UNCA: Youth Visioning Project

2011-04-21T09:18:00.000-04:00

Most of the April Vacation Arts Program participants completed an activity for the United Neighborhoods Centers of America: Youth Visioning Project. Youth visited the Ellis Memorial Youth Programs (located at 66 Berkeley Street, approx. a 12 minute walk) to brainstorm what our neighborhood will be like in 100 years. A slide presentation featuring the South End neighborhood 100 years ago was put together for youth to discuss similarities and differences. Once back at our center’s, children begin construction from recycled materials to build their imagined community. Photos of the process and final project will be submitted for the UNCA judging and finalist review. The actual finished community will be displayed in the Community Window on the corner of Worcester St and Washington St (near the Walgreens window display). A small opening reception was held on Wednesday April 20^th from 3:30 – 4:30 with light refreshments for parents to view the final product. Children from Ellis Memorial Youth Programs joined us as well during this time. Stay tuned for the completed project presentation and interviews from participants about their buildings.

Screen-Free Week

2011-04-18T13:07:00.002-04:00

Screen Free Week is a national celebration where children, families, schools and communities spend seven days turning off entertainment screen media and turning on life. It’s about a time to unplug and play, read, daydream, create, explore and spend more time with family and friends. Here is a sample activity that Children’s Art Centre participants will be doing during the April Vacation Arts Program:

My Fantasy Pet:

Objectives: Children learn about mixed media, how it can make a piece of artwork more interesting. Children use their imagination to come up with something/someone entirely new, based on their own preferences.

Using mixed media collage, we will create a new creature from pictures of animals and other materials (fabric, paper, etc).
Then the children will come up with a short description of a story about the monster.

Did you know?

• Children with 2 or more hours of daily screen time are more likely to have increased psychological difficulties, including hyperactivity, emotional and conduct problems, as well as difficulties with peers.

•Adolescents who watch 3 or more hours of television daily are at especially high risk for poor homework completion, negative attitudes toward school, poor grades, and long-term academic failure.

•Adolescents with a television in their bedroom spend more time watching TV and report less physical activity, less healthy dietary habits, worse school performance, and fewer family meals.

For more resources to reduce the amount of screen time your children have, visit the Truce website HERE and browse the guides for tips on what toys enhance children's natural ability to actively engage in imaginative and meaningful play. These guides inform parents and caregivers about how to help children work on developmental issues through creative problem-solving play.

Truce stands for Teachers Resisting Unhealthy Children's Entertainment (TRUCE) and is a national group of educators deeply concerned about how children's entertainment and toys are affecting the play and behavior of children in our classrooms.

Imagine Puppets

2011-03-20T15:34:00.007-04:00

Students from Hurley Elementary School just completed an 8 week club after school on Tuesdays from 2:30 - 3:45. Children's Art Centre instructors pick the children up from school, just a 5 minute walk around the corner from the Centre. Each class, new puppet making techniques were introduced using materials such as paper bags, paper plates and socks. Students learned how to improvise a play as well as perform from a written script in front of their peers. Here are some clips from the class.

New Promotional Video!

2011-03-20T15:26:00.002-04:00

The Children’s Art Centre recently created a promotional video highlighting community art classes, youth program enrichment as well as educational collaborations with the local schools. The video features youth creating props and set design for a play, sensory exploration with paint as well as a game design class in the After School Program. Interviews with staff elaborate on the importance and role that community arts organizations have on arts education as well as the extensive history and roots of the Children’s Art Centre.

Winter Open House

2010-12-29T10:09:00.001-05:00

photo by Cara Brostom

January 7, 2011 3:00 - 6:00pm

Free and open to the public

Join us for an action packed afternoon that will engage all ages of youth. Visit our space, explore our facilities, and participate in a survey to allow our programming to fit your needs. There will be a youth exhibition on display in the new CAC gallery, as well as a workshop hosted by the MFA and a free Spanish & Creative Movement demo. Meet new parents in our Creative Playspace and register for classes while learning more about the Thrive in 5 initiative, even become a Parent Ambassador! Enter a raffle hosted by the USES Parent Council for a chance to win a professional family portrait sitting and learn about more opportunities where you can be apart of the United South End Settlements’ family.

Space is limited so please RSVP

Free! Printmaking Workshop with the Museum of Fine Arts
Ages 5 - 12 yrs old
4:15 - 5:15 pm
CLICK TO RSVP

Free! Spanish & Creative Movement Demo
Ages infant - 4 yrs old + Adult
3:30 - 4:15 pm
CLICK TO RSVP

Bugs & Dirt!

2010-11-29T21:36:00.000-05:00

Last week we filled the sensory tables with organic soil and toy bugs for preschoolers to explore during the Wiggle & Paint class taught by Shannon Nelson of Mama & Me Studio. Such a simple concept can go a long way! We also covered the tables with paper and let the children stamp bug prints as well as experiment by printmaking with packing materials.

Shannon had a great tip for creating your own stamp pad by cutting a piece of felt to fit inside a plastic tray then squirt different colors of liquid watercolor onto the felt. You now have a simple and cost effective stamp pad. Just wash out and reuse between projects and never worry about it drying out.

To register for the Winter 2011 Session of Wiggle & Paint, visit our website www.uses.org now!

Messy Days

2010-11-08T21:27:00.000-05:00

After many purchases of art smocks that are either too big, really cheap or fall apart in the washer the best product for keeping spills off clothes is actually heavy weight tee-shirts! The choice was almost too obvious, the sleeves cover toddlers arms, no need for an adult to untie tight knots and they survive after being washed multiple times. They are actually less expensive than art smocks you buy from the store and you can customize them! Here I used an exacto knife to cut out letters from sticky vinyl and used it as a stencil on a silkscreen. It took some time, but I'm super happy with the results! Now I just need something to keep paint off the rest of their clothes....

Art History Jr: Jackson Pollock

2010-10-14T20:46:00.001-04:00

Students in USES' Preschool and After School Programs participated in painting like artist Jackson Pollock. Artwork will be on display in the Mills Gallery windows between mid-October and mid-November in conjunction with the 'Community Windows Project' coordinated by the BCA.

Community Colors

2010-09-13T14:57:00.001-04:00

Opening Reception Wednesday September 22, 2010. Featuring artwork from Children's Art Centre Participants. See you there!

Community Window at Walgreens

2010-09-07T17:38:00.000-04:00

If you are walking around the South End, be sure to check out the Community Window display at Walgreens on the corner of Washington Street (near Flour). Artwork is on display from participants of the Children's Art Centre, read about it in the South End News here.

Summer Arts Visits Georges Island

2010-09-07T12:28:00.000-04:00

Summer Arts Program: Session 5

2010-09-07T12:26:00.000-04:00

Tennis Ball Painting

Super Hero Drawings

Sponge Painting

Shadow Tracing

Just like Andy Goldsworthy

2010-09-07T12:21:00.000-04:00

Field Trip to the Mills Gallery

2010-09-07T12:18:00.001-04:00

Summer at the Children's Art Centre.

2010-08-19T21:23:00.000-04:00

Ballroom Dance Class

Rehearsing for the puppet show

Sock puppet comedians

the magic never ends...

2010-08-19T21:21:00.000-04:00

The new generation of interior designers.

Summer Arts: Session 4

2010-08-19T21:16:00.000-04:00

miniature paintings

Arts in the Park 2010

2010-08-10T16:22:00.000-04:00

Wonderful colors of Sidewalk Sam

Sharing with My Gym

Watercolors with the Museum of Fine Arts

African Drumming with Martin Case

Digging for creatures with Mama & Me

Jungle Jim's Wild About Balloon Show

Collage with Historic New England

Together with friends

Fun at Arts in the Park!

Blue laughs!

Cheers for sno-cones!


Butterfly faces


Puppet making with the Children's Art Centre

Thank you for everyone who came out today to celebrate the arts and spend time with family, friends and neighbors. Our sixth annual Arts in the Park was a blast especially with the help of our wonderful volunteers and vendors. Thank you for making today a success!

Summer Arts Program: Session 3

2010-07-27T11:18:00.001-04:00

Dance Painting

More Dance Painting

Summer Arts Program: Session 2

2010-07-27T11:16:00.000-04:00

Super Hero Capes

Cookie Sculptures

Summer Arts Program: Session 1

2010-07-27T11:14:00.000-04:00

Puppet Making

Paper Mache Sculptures

Finished Piece!

Family Arts on Rutland success !

2010-06-27T18:46:00.000-04:00

Thank you for everyone who came to our Family Arts on Rutland event June 5th. Thank you to the Parent Council who organized the raffle and wonderful BBQ/Potluck, to Slim Jim and the Madcows for playing 2 amazing sets in the hot sun and for all my volunteers for face painting, monitoring the Creative Playspace and helping with the 'en plein air' painting. And of course I couldn't do it without the amazing staff at USES.

Call for Art!

2010-05-10T20:56:00.001-04:00

Family Arts on Rutland

2010-05-10T20:55:00.000-04:00

Kids Fresh Paint Opening Reception

2010-05-05T22:27:00.000-04:00

Thank you to all the families that came to the Copley Society Gallery to support our budding artists and congratulations to the artists for doing such great work! Don't forget to check out the Boston Courant pg 7 article "Young Artists Have Brush with Fame"!

You are invited!

2010-04-28T07:39:00.003-04:00

Kids Fresh Paint Day!

2010-04-28T07:38:00.000-04:00

The April Vacation Arts Program participants painted at Titus Sparrow Park last Friday doing 'plein air' paintings of the wonderful green spaces there for the Copley Society of arts annual Fresh Paint event. The children's artwork will be displayed in the galleries Red Room (now appropriately named the 'Green Room' for this exhibit). Come view the art before May 8th!

Registration begins May 3

2010-04-19T16:59:00.000-04:00

Mixed Media

2010-04-15T13:56:00.000-04:00

Teens have been learning about how to use texture and create interesting background while combinding mixed media. Here, one teen answered some interesting questions about a random photocopy in order to create a new and original theme from the answers.

Below are some questions you can ask yourself about a photograph in order to inspire creative thinking:

1. Where has this person traveled?
2. What is their biggest secret?
3. What makes them fearful and why?

Now try to create a new image from your answers!

"Brewers Helping Neighbors"

2010-03-17T12:19:00.000-04:00

"Brewer's Helping Neighbors"

beer tasting and gathering benefit for United South End Settlements

Join us on April 8, 2010 to support the work of USES, while enjoying some of the world's best beer!

Buy Tickets Here

Date: Thursday April 8, 2010
Time: 7pm - 930pm
Place: USES' Harriet Tubman House
566 Columbus Avenue, Boston, MA 02118
Tickets, $40
You must be 21 years of age with valid ID to attend this event, NO REFUNDS

Ticket includes: A tasting glass, craft brews, beverages, food, entertainment

Participating Breweries (so far):

Sam Adams Brewery, Boston MA
Blue Hills Brewery, Canton MA
Harpoon Brewery, Boston MA
Mayflower Brewery, Plymouth MA
Mercury Brewing Company Ipswich Ale

Great Food Provided By (so far):

Great Hill Blue Cheese
Haley House Bakery
JJFoley's

Above and Beyond Catering

"Brewers Helping Neighbors" Merchandise available at the event
This event accessible via public transportation! Please use it!

Become our FAN on FaceBook

NOTE: All proceeds benefit the programs and services of United South End Settlements
To volunteer or learn more about USES please contact us

Think Globally, Act Locally, Drink Responsibly.

Give me a heads up via e-mail if a Children’s Art Centre parent purchases a ticket!! Proceeds benefit our classes and programs!!

ECE Story Art

2010-03-11T07:44:00.000-05:00

After reading "When the Fly Flew in" Students experimented with different mark making techniques to create a 'messy room'. Using photocopies from magazines, students completed the image of a person to place in their 'messy room'.

The Hurley Together Paint Mural!!

2010-03-11T07:18:00.000-05:00

Students from the Hurley School just completed a 3' X 9' mural depicting scenes from the Amazon. Below are details of this fine masterpiece. Stay tuned for our spring after-school club collaboration.

April Vacation Arts Program

2010-03-03T20:18:00.005-05:00

For more information, visit the links to the right of this page.

Featured Art

2010-03-03T19:07:00.001-05:00

Dominic

Age 11

February Vacation Arts Program Mural

2010-03-03T18:52:00.001-05:00

Great job to all the participants in the February Vacation Arts Program this year. We completed a 3' X 9' mural for the South End Library in 4 days! Registration is now open for our April Vacation Arts Program,
click here for more information.

Spring registration begins!

2010-03-01T09:14:00.000-05:00

Visit www.uses.org for complete descriptions and schedule!

Project Profile: Gustav Klimt

2010-01-31T15:34:00.001-05:00

FIRST: draw a figure on a piece of illustration board.

SECOND: paint the background and scrape into the paint using various objects to create texture while still wet.

THIRD: using a piece of flat styrofoam, draw designs on it using a sharp pencil and leaving an indentation. Cut to fit the size of clothes or body for your figure.

FOURTH: using block printing ink and a brayer, roll out some ink and completely cover the brayer evenly.

FIFTH: roll the ink on your styrofoam and place upside down onto your illustration board where your figure's body is. Press down evenly and slowly pull back the styrofoam.

SIXTH: add details to your figure using colored pencils.

Drop-In Studio Theme: Packed

2010-01-27T09:33:00.003-05:00

1/27

20 minute warm up: Touch and Draw

Students will be given a bag filled with various small items. Without looking inside the bag, students will feel the objects and draw what they feel. Can you guess what each object is?

Cut Paper Design

Students will create a design by folding and cutting paper into various shapes. They will then use this as a stencil and paint through to make various printmaking works of art.

RSVP to crevelle@uses.org

Teen Portfolio

2010-01-26T19:58:00.001-05:00

The Teen Portfolio class has been busy learning about color and value this session. Here are our first attempts to use acrylic paint with an under-painting technique. Last session students learned how to draw from observation using charcoal.

The Teen Portfolio program is completely free for Boston high school students and are welcome to join at any time during the session. Please contact Chelsea if you are interested to register, 617-375-8159.

Together Paint!

2010-01-26T19:49:00.000-05:00

Students at the Hurley Elementary School had the opportunity to sign up for an after school club at the Children's Art Centre this session. Together Paint! was formed for students in grades K2-2nd to explore the messy material and learn to work together to create a mural that will be a gift for the school. Students brainstormed many themes but finally decided on 'Amazon'. Drawings were created of different animals and plants, then transferred onto acetate and projected on a large canvas for students to trace.

Project Profile: Just like Eric Carle!

2010-01-25T19:07:00.003-05:00

FIRST: Collect and recycle old paintings and drawings on paper that have nice colors and textures. You can also create your own if you do not have some saved, just allow time to dry before moving on.

SECOND: Using animal stencils, trace the outline onto your recycled paintings and cut out the shapes.

THIRD: Create a composition on another piece of paper, colored construction paper works nicely.

FOURTH: Glue down cut outs and embellish with details by using crayons or markers.

FIFTH: Optional, design many pages to create your own story just like Eric Carle!

Featured Art

2010-01-25T18:56:00.003-05:00

Orly
Age 8

Neighborhoods

2010-01-22T14:26:00.002-05:00

Students ages 5-6 years old worked together to create a neighborhood with crayons, colored pencils, markers and chalk pastels. We learned how to share our space and help each other on this project just like a community does. Students also drew a self portrait of themselves looking out the window that completes the scene.

Tiny Tree Theater

2010-01-21T20:51:00.001-05:00

Students in the Tiny Tree Theater class learned acting terms such as blocking (the physical arrangement of actors on a stage) with this clever project using recycled materials.

Early Childhood Education: Starfish

2010-01-21T20:40:00.001-05:00

The United South End Settlements' Children's Art Centre also provides arts enrichment to the Early Childhood Education Program each session. Featured here are paintings from the Story Art class after reading "Rabbit Moon". Students used oil pastels to draw a night sky then used tempera cakes to create a night time wash over the picture. Moons and stars remained "glowing" through the paint layers.

For more information about the Early Childhood Education program at USES, please contact Mary Monkouski at 617-375-8150.

After School Program: Group 1

2010-01-21T20:26:00.001-05:00

The United South End Settlements, After School Program receives various kinds of arts enrichment from the Children's Art Centre each session. Group 1 has been working with themes of community and neighborhoods. Here they made forts from recycled materials.

For more information about the After School Program at USES please contact Jerrell Cox at 617-375-8171.

February Vacation Arts Program

2010-01-11T15:59:00.001-05:00

Drop-In Studio Theme: Dreams

2010-01-11T11:15:00.000-05:00

1/13

Warm up activity: Draw and Paint to Music
The instructor will play various songs while students listen and think about the songs and how to interpret them, what colors do they think of, what types of lines?...Songs will be repeated so students can draw and paint to how the music makes them feel.

Crayon Resist:
Students will draw heavily with crayon based on the theme of dreams. Once the drawing is complete, students will cover the entire surface with dark watercolor washes.

RSVP crevelle@uses.org

2009-12-23T11:50:00.001-05:00

Register now for Winter Classes!

2009-12-16T16:08:00.001-05:00

Winter Session begins

January 11, 2010

Find class info and registration online at

www.uses.org

Toys for Joys volunteers needed!

2009-12-08T12:51:00.002-05:00

Who: Toys for Joys
What: a charitable organization, is doing a toy drive for the children in our USES youth programs
When: this Sunday, December 13, 2009
Where: at Artists for Humanity in South Boston.

Four to eight volunteers are needed to assist from 3pm-9pm.
Please contact Cerlyn Cantave at 617-375-8151 or by e-mail at ccantave@uses.org if you can volunteer!

Thank you!

Drop-In Studio Theme: Travel

2009-12-08T09:48:00.008-05:00

12/9

20 minute warm up activity: Pulled String Postcards

Students will cover string in paint and press it between two pieces of paper. While holding down the paper, the string is pulled out to make very interesting and twisting designs. These will then be cut to postcard size and mailed to someone you know!

Deserted Island

Students will mold with play-doh a deserted island. From observation, they will draw what they made and add details such as trees, people, boats, etc.

RSVP at crevelle@uses.org

Drop-In Studio Theme: Green

2009-11-30T15:22:00.001-05:00

12/2

20 min warm up activity: Bicycle Drawing

Students will sharpen their observational skills by drawing from a life size Huffy Messenger bike.

International Children's Painting Competition on the Environment:

Students will discuss different ways of being green (riding a bike instead of driving a car) and how they relate to protecting the earth and biodiversity. Students will then use these ideas to create a picture using soaked chalk sticks to enter into this competition. Art work will be kept for submission and a chance to win the following prizes:

-$1,000
-All expenses paid trip for winner and chaperoned to North American World Environment Day in PA
-All expenses paid trip for winner and chaperoned to the TUNZA International Children's Conference in Aichi, Japan
-Plaque and other prizes

RSVP at crevelle@uses.org

The Elf's Hat

2009-11-24T12:10:00.000-05:00

The Tiny Tree Theater class is at it again!

This time with the USES Early Childhood Education Starfish class. Last Friday these little performers put on a magnificent play, The Elf's Hat for the Annual Parent's Harvest Luncheon.

Thank you for all your hard work and smiles!

The Tiny Tree Theater class will resume for the winter session.

For more information visit our website here!

Just listen to what past participants are saying:

"This class is so creative- making each part of theater an experience toddlers can appreciate and relate to."

“Love having a theme every week....Art projects are just the right level. Costumes and props make it extra special. Painting scenery, they loved doing it and probably didn’t quite get it until they saw how it was used. I feel like she learned so much from this!”

“Amy did a great job working with a diverse little group of performers. Her class moved at a good pace and she adjusted based on who was there and what mood they were in. My daughter thoroughly enjoyed the class and can’t wait to sign up again!"

Drop-In Studio Open 11/25

2009-11-24T12:01:00.001-05:00

Hello Drop-In followers,
I apologize for having to cancel last weeks class. But we are on this week despite the holiday and will be doing the theme of Neighborhood as posted last week. These class will run through December unlike our regular fall schedule.

RSVP crevelle@uses.org

Drop-In Studio Theme: Neighborhood

2009-11-16T13:48:00.000-05:00

11/18

20 Minute warm up activity: Texture scavenger hunt

Students will look around the room to discover textures and create rubbings by placing their paper over the surface and using the flat edge of the crayon. Once you have a collection, switch with a partner to guess where the textures came from.

Collage Environment

Lightly sketch a drawing based on the theme of neighborhood.
Begin to cut your texture collection into shapes that will fit into your drawing and glue down the pieces. Embellish the environment with details.

RSVP at crevelle@uses.org

Project Profile: The Best Play Doh Recipe Ever!

2009-11-10T10:43:00.000-05:00

As suggested from Amy MacDougall, our Tiny Tree Theater instructor:

In a big bowl, first mix

1 ½ cups water

½ cup cooking oil

About 1/4^th cup tempera paint (regular kids’ paint)

Then add

2 cups of salt (not Kosher salt)

A little more than 4 cups of flour

Mix the salt in, and then the flour. After 4 cups, see if it’s too greasy and sticky, add more flour.

Drop-In Studio: Parade

2009-11-02T10:01:00.000-05:00

Drop-In Studio
Ages 6-11
Wednesdays 3:45-5pm
Children's Art Centre

This week Students will learn how to draw the figure from observation by posing for each other. Using these sketches, students will then create characters with collage and mixed media around the theme of parade.

All work from this class will be submitted to the Youth Empowerment Showcase for a gallery exhibition at Cabral Center at Northeastern University on Saturday, November 14th, 2009 at 1:00pm.

There will be snacks, music and dance performances. Invite family and friends to show off your creative work from the CAC.

Drop-In Studio: Friends

2009-10-22T09:49:00.000-04:00

Starting next week, the Drop-In Studio will begin on Wednesdays from 3:45-5pm at the Children's Art Centre. This is a place where you can visit without the commitment to an 8 week course, but still have the opportunity to engage in an activity. Each week there will be a new project and theme, so be sure to check the blog for a sneak peek. Visit our website for more information at www.uses.org.

10/28 & 11/4

In conjunction with P.E.A.C.E. O.U.T., we invite you to make art for the Youth Empowerment Showcase. Here's your chance to display your masterpiece and be recognized in a gallery exhibit at the

Cabral Center at Northeastern University on Saturday, November 14th, 2009 at 1:00pm.

There will be snacks, music and dance performances. Invite family and friends to show off your creative work from the CAC.

Featured Art

2009-10-19T23:16:00.001-04:00

Chloe
Age 6

new! DROP-IN STUDIO

2009-10-05T20:45:00.002-04:00

Wiggle and Paint: Spaghetti Painting

2009-09-30T22:49:00.004-04:00

The USES' Children's Art Centre Wiggle and Paint class has been a huge hit this fall. Sensory based art has captivated the children, and parents are thrilled this isn't happening to their living rooms! Shannon, originator of Mama and Me, teaches parents as well as kids how to have fun with inexpensive ingredients from your kitchen. Who thought spaghetti could make such an amazing printmaking material?

Need original wrapping paper for the holidays?

FIRST- Boil spaghetti and let cool.

SECOND- Roll out finger painting paper and tape down the edges.

THIRD- Separate spaghetti into different piles for each color on the paper.

FOUR- Put a little bit of tempera paint of each color into spaghetti piles.

FIVE- Set up your child either nude or with a smock (over-sized tee-shirts work great)

SIX- Let them work their magic!

SEVEN- Keep paper taped down to dry then use as necessary to wrap presents.

REGISTER NOW!

2009-09-08T21:36:00.002-04:00

REGISTER NOW!

2009-09-08T21:35:00.003-04:00

REGISTER NOW!

2009-09-08T21:31:00.002-04:00

Project Profile: Personal Sketchbook

2009-08-24T20:03:00.011-04:00

Image created by Kai, Age 5

Create a fun and inspirational sketchbook for your child with minimal supplies. Ages 5-up.

FIRST- Make a table of contents with original themes. About 24. Each theme should correspond to a page number. You can type this up and print it out.
Some ideas include:
1. "What's for breakfast?" Draw what you ate this morning.
2. Design your own stamp.
3. If I had a twin....
4. Super Parent Squad: Draw your parents with super powers.
5. Observation drawing: Nature.
6. Something you can find in the jungle.

SECOND- Combine 12 pieces of computer paper, your table of contents, a construction paper cover and staple together on the left hand side. It should open like a book.

THIRD- Encourage your child to draw in this sketchbook, completing each theme that corresponds to it's page. Watch your child's imagination grow and let them share their thought process with you.

United South End Settlements' Children's Art Centre

South End News: Art for humanity’s sake

FREE Teen Art Classes!

Create and Connect Tip of the Month

The Legacy of Charlotte Dempsey

Resource of the Month: Creativity Matters E-Book

Spotlight On: BCA Community Windows

Register Now for the CAC’s February Vacation Arts Program!

Thank you Interns and Volunteers!

Open Haunted House

Spotlight on: The CAC and Thrive in 5

The Art of Change: Building the Future of the Children's Art Centre

NEW Playspace Options!

October Newsletter

South End Open Studios

The Language of Learning: The Arts and School Readiness

Summer field trips and fun!

the dream theme...

and THAT'S what it's all about!

Summer Arts Program: In Numbers and In Stories

Week 6 of the Summer Arts Program

CAC in the News!

Summer's Half Over!

Stop-motion animation!

Meet Our Summer Arts Staff...

MFA Free Fun Friday

Summer Arts: Session 1 Highlights

Family Fun on Rutland was FUN!

Creativity for the 21st Century: The Promise and Power of Arts Education

Final UNCA Project Video!

...and their families

Choosing Open-Ended Toys that Encourage Creative Play

a Message from Mama & Me

DIY: How to make

flubber at home

Ingredients:

Directions:

DIY: Homemade stamp pads

Directions:

Volunteer Appreciation Day

LandWave Dedication

UNCA: Youth Visioning Project

Screen-Free Week

Imagine Puppets

New Promotional Video!

Winter Open House

Bugs & Dirt!

Messy Days

Art History Jr: Jackson Pollock

Community Colors

Community Window at Walgreens

Summer Arts Visits Georges Island

Summer Arts Program: Session 5

Just like Andy Goldsworthy

Field Trip to the Mills Gallery

Summer at the Children's Art Centre.

the magic never ends...

Summer Arts: Session 4

Arts in the Park 2010

Summer Arts Program: Session 3

Summer Arts Program: Session 2

Summer Arts Program: Session 1

Family Arts on Rutland success !

Call for Art!

Family Arts on Rutland

Kids Fresh Paint Opening Reception

You are invited!

Kids Fresh Paint Day!

Registration begins May 3

Mixed Media

"Brewers Helping Neighbors"

"Brewer's Helping Neighbors"

beer tasting and gathering benefit for United South End Settlements

Join us on April 8, 2010 to support the work of USES, while enjoying some of the world's best beer!

Buy Tickets Here

Date: Thursday April 8, 2010 Time: 7pm - 930pm Place: USES' Harriet Tubman House 566 Columbus Avenue, Boston, MA 02118 Tickets, $40 You must be 21 years of age with valid ID to attend this event, NO REFUNDS

ECE Story Art

The Hurley Together Paint Mural!!

April Vacation Arts Program

Featured Art

Date: Thursday April 8, 2010
Time: 7pm - 930pm
Place: USES' Harriet Tubman House
566 Columbus Avenue, Boston, MA 02118
Tickets, $40
You must be 21 years of age with valid ID to attend this event, NO REFUNDS