Category Archives: Art Classes for Everyone

July 18, 2024 (11 am–12 pm) — INSPIRED BY NATURE at Port Chester–Rye Brook Library

July 18, 2024 (11 am–12 pm) at Port Chester-Rye Brook Public Library

FREE art workshop series  INSPIRED BY NATURE 
Cosponsored and hosted by Port Chester-Rye Brook Public Library at 1 Haseco Ave, Port Chester, NY 10573 | call to make reservation 914-939-6710

Also at the end of vacation, on Saturday August 24, 2024 (during Port Chester Day in John Lyon Park) children and their families are invited  by the Port Chester Recreation Dept. and the  Nowodworski Foundation to join painting and printing workshops.

Virtual sessions will be provided by Zoom (starting early fall 2024)

 


 

INSPIRED BY NATURE art series in Port Chester–Rye Brook Public Library

The INSPIRED BY NATURE offers an engaging series of art workshops (in-person & virtual) for children, parents, and grandparents. Port Chester–Rye Brook Library will host 3 in-person sessions in July 11, 18 and August 1, 2024 (11 am–12 pm).

Also at the end of August, Saturday August 24, 2024 (during Port Chester Day in John Lyon Park) children and their families will join the Nowodworski Foundation painting and printing workshops.

Virtual sessions will be provided by Zoom (starting early fall 2024)


 

INSPIRED BY NATURE – Composition. POSTPONED TILL JULY 2024.  New Date TBD. – FREE ZOOM ART WORKSHOP.

POSTPONED TILL JULY 2024 .  New Date TBD!

INSPIRED BY NATURE Composition: My Hands  

To sign up for this program send an email to office@sitenf.org with the note ART WORKSHOP in the subject line. We will email you the ZOOM ID and passwordClick HERE to watch some of our videos.

Art materials

  • Black Sharpie marker (optional: pencil)
  • Washable markers or crayons
  • Any light paper cut to square, not smaller than 8.5’’x8.5’’ (preferably larger)
  • or any size white/light plain paper

Inspired by Nature – STENCIL LANDSCAPE. Wednesday, June 12, 2024 – Free ZOOM Art Workshop.

INSPIRED BY NATURE – Stenciled Mountains

June 12th, 2024 at 5:00 PM. To sign up for this program send an email to office@sitenf.org with the note ART WORKSHOP in the subject line. We will email you the ZOOM ID and passwordClick HERE to watch some of our videos.

Art supplies:

    • Watercolor or water-based paint
    • Sturdy light plain paper (several same size papers)
    • Brushes
    • Container of water
    • Paper towel (few pieces)
    • Plate for color mixing
    • Newspaper or table covering (optional but recommended)


 

Pollinators in Action. Sunday, May 5, 2024 — Free In-person Cinco De Mayo Flower Making Workshop — Philipse Manor Hall

POLLINATORS IN ACTION Cinco De Mayo Flower Making Workshop  Philipse Manor Hall

Sunday, May 5, 2024
1:00 PM  | FREE
Philipse Manor Hall
State Historic Site
29 Warburton Avenue Yonkers, NY 10701 
(directions: click HERE)

Join artist Ardina Seward for this family-friendly art workshop inspired by the flowers of Mexico in celebration of Cinco de Mayo. You are invited to make paper flowers and vases out of a variety of colorful materials using a variety of techniques. Free for everyone, all ages welcome! All materials provided, registration not required.

Workshop sponsored by the City of Yonkers and Philipse Manor Hall

Pollinators in Action – Talavera Pottery (3-D Drawing/Collage with Crayons). Free Live Zoom Art Workshop. Wednesday 5/1/2024 at 5:00 PM

Wednesday, May 1st at 5:00 PM. To sign up for this program send an email to office@sitenf.org with the note  WORKSHOP in the subject line. We will email you the ZOOM ID and password.

This workshop will illustrate symmetry in design and simple shading/layering techniques. We will talk about how butterflies pollinate flowers and the Talavera Pottery style of design. Lots of fun. Easy to draw.

As it is close to Cinco de Mayo (May 5th), I thought it would be fun to create an artwork that pays homage to the Mexican pottery style known as Talavera. I incorporated the symmetrical style and bold colors with a “pollinator”–butterfly that is drawn separately then cut out and attached using a glue stick. I used crayons but markers could also be used.
—Bobbi Egan

Required Materials:

  • Markers or crayons: Red-orange, Orange, Yellow-orange, yellow, green, dark blue, light blue, green blue
  • Black Sharpie permanent marker, fine point
  • Scissors
  • Glue stick, glue or tape
  • Any white paper, drawing paper preferred.
    I used 9×12 for the flower and 4×6 for the butterfly
  • Pencil and eraser for paper
  • Ruler
  • Also needed is a 4 1/2” circle shape. I used a plastic soup container.

 

Pollinators in Action – Wildflowers. Free Live Zoom Art Workshop. Wednesday 4/17/2024 at 5:00 PM

POLLINATORS IN ACTION – Wildflowers

Wednesday, April 17th at 5:00 PM. To sign up for this program send an email to office@sitenf.org with the note  WORKSHOP in the subject line. We will email you the ZOOM ID and password.

Cornflower – this bright blue hardy annual is most noted for attracting the Painted Lady Butterfly, and also attracts hummingbirds as well as lady bugs. Cornflowers grow best in full sun, are drought tolerant and tolerate poor soil well. They are one of the most beautiful blue wildflowers and make the landscape pristine in summer.

Art supplies:

  • Watercolor or water-based paint
  • Sturdy light plain paper
  • Brushes
  • Container of water
  • Paper towel (few pieces)
  • Plate for color mixing
  • Newspaper or table covering (optional but recommended)

POLLINATORS IN ACTION – Springtime Forest In-person Workshop – PHILIPSE MANOR HALL, April 13, 2024 at 1:00 PM

Springtime Forest Art Workshop

April 13, 2024 1:00 PM
29 Warburton Ave. Yonkers, NY 10170
directions: click HERE

Join us for this free, family-friendly workshop where you will learn a variety of art techniques to create your own springtime tree portrait. Using wax resist techniques, watercolors, and collage elements, create a beautiful work of art showcasing a tree leafing out in springtime, guided by a professional artist. Art pieces can be displayed individually, or with other pieces to form a mural. All materials provided.

Space and coordination provided by Philipse Manor Hall 

Pollinators in Action – Butterflies. Free Live Zoom Art Workshop. Wednesday 4/10/2024 at 5:00 PM

POLLINATORS IN ACTION – Butterflies

Wednesday, April 10th at 5:00 PM. To sign up for this program send an email to office@sitenf.org with the note  WORKSHOP in the subject line. We will email you the ZOOM ID and password.

Art supplies:

  • Watercolor or water-based paint
  • Sturdy light plain paper
  • Brushes
  • Black thin marker
  • Container of water
  • Paper towel (few pieces)
  • Plate for color mixing
  • Newspaper or table covering (optional but recommended)

“People of all ages watch the brilliantly colored insects with awe and wonder at Butterflies in the Garden. What many don’t realize is that while we value butterflies for their beauty, they also play an important role in the ecosystem. Along with bees, birds and various other insects, they help flowering plants reproduce.

Birds and insects are critical pollinators; in fact, more than 80 percent of land plants are pollinated by animals such as butterflies. Pollen sticks to the bodies of pollinators when they feed on nectar, a sugary fluid produced by flowering plants to attract pollinators. Flowers benefit when they are visited by many pollinators, so they have evolved ways to attract birds and bees. The bright colors and showy petals of flowers serve as advertisements to pollinators promising rich nectar within.
Bees do most of the work of cross-pollination, but the contribution of birds and butterflies can’t be dismissed. In fact, scientists were recently surprised by how much butterflies contributed to the pollination of cotton fields in south Texas. In an article published in Science, researchers estimated butterflies contributed $120 million-worth of pollination to cotton farmers.

Butterfly populations are in decline across the world, primarily due to habitat loss, and not only cotton fields could suffer if species are lost. “Butterflies are important indicators of the health of the environment,” says O’Connell. “Healthy ecosystems with large native plant populations attract butterflies. You know something has gone very wrong in a location that butterflies avoid.” “Butterflies are also part of the food chain. Both caterpillars and butterflies are important food sources for many creatures, especially birds,” O’Connell continues. “And they have intrinsic value as part of the natural world.” —fwbg.org