The Deptford library’s monthly Art Club Jr. program for kids in grades three to five has a twist: Participants offer their own intepretations of an artistic style after reading an artist’s story.
The next session will take place from 6 to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 21.
” … It’s a unique opportunity for children in grades three to five to not only hear a story, but become part of a story,” said children’s librarian Sarah Kramer. “After reading about a specific artist – of whom past examples include Alma Thomas, Mary Blair and Wassily Kandinsky – students create artwork in the style of that artist, but with their own twist.”
In an earlier library session, Art Club Jr. members focused on Kandinsky, an artist well known for abstract pieces he paints based on the colors he visualizes as he hears music. Kandinsky has synesthesia, a neurological condition often described as a “crossing of the senses,” in which information meant to stimulate one of the senses stimulates several of them.
The art club put a modern spin on the artist’s style by making abstract paintings while listening to singer Taylor Swift. The result was posted on the library’s Facebook page.
“Members of Art Club Jr. enjoyed learning about Wassily Kandinsky,” according to the post, “an abstract artist who sometimes painted the colors he saw when he heard music. We painted our own abstract art while listening to – who else? – Taylor Swift, and these students created masterpieces.”
The library offers a variety of art-themed clubs for kids, including the Cooking Club Jr. for aspiring culinary artists and the Lego Club for block builders that takes place every Wednesday at 4 p.m.
The artist to be featured at the next Art Club Jr. program has yet to be determined. The sessions are free but do require registration by calling (856) 848-9149.
