Family Arts Nights
Family Arts Nights provides families with a wonderful opportunity to interact through creative and engaging activities and performances. Enjoy a 30-minute performance by one of our professional artists, then participate in a 50-minute hands-on activity guided by one of our professional visual artists.
Select from these curated programs based on an artist, culture or theme, or let us design a custom family arts night on almost any topic.
Discover Great Artists
Alexander Calder - Fish mobile
Learn about American artist Alexander Calder and how he used science in art.
Frida Kahlo -Self-Portrait with a Thorn Necklace and a Hummingbird
Draw portraits inspired by Frida Kahlo's work.
Paul Klee -The Head of a Man
Swiss painter Paul Klee was a master of color and line, creating art that responded to emotion rather than realism.
Henri Matisse -Drawing with Scissors
Using cut and torn shapes of colorful paper, create a 2-dimensional design expressing your response to jazz music performed by The Rob Thorsen Jazz Quartet.
Jackson Pollack -Lavender Mist
Interpret Pollack's technique to create abstract art.
Vincent Van Gogh - Still Life With a Vase
Using the Vincent Van Gogh painting "Sunflowers" as inspiration, students learn to draw a still life picture.
Explore Cultures
Brazilian Carnaval
Performance: Sol e Mar (traditional Afro-Cuban and Brazilian music) Hands on art project: mask making, San Diego Guild of Puppetry
Ghana, Africa
Performance: Bolga Zohdoomah (Ghanaian Highlife music)
Hands on art project: Create a Zimbabwe shield or an African Ndebele house
India
Performance: Divya Devaguptapu (Bharatanatyam Classical Indian Dance) Hands on art project: Indian Rangoli design or Kathputli puppets
Mexico
Performance: Mariachi Estrellas de Chula Vista
Hands on art project: Calaveras masks, Mexican mirrors or Butterfly Rod puppets
Native America
Performance: Abel Silvas as Running Grunion
Hands on art project: doll-making or clay pinch pots
The Philippines
Performance: Samahan Philippine American Performing Arts Hands on art project: Batik painting
United States
Performance: Grassology (bluegrass music)
Hands on art project: Design a quilt block pattern using construction paper and glue
Study a Theme
Black History Month
Performance: Storyteller Alyce Smith Cooper Hands on activity: Underground Railroad Lantern
Earth Day
Hands on art activity: Green Art Labs recycled art/ Earth Day workshop using a variety of clean usable materials
Literacy
Performance: Peter and the Wolf
Hands on art activity: Dance and movement; music and theater exercises
Recycled Arts
Performance: Storyteller Marilyn McPhie "One Man's Trash is Another Man's Story"
Hands on art activity: Green Art Labs
Wonder and Imagination
Performance: Jerry Hager as Professor Wonder
Hands on activity: Wonder Trees, Family Story Tiles, or Bookbinding
To learn more about Family Arts Nights or to schedule an event at your school or facility, contact Sherrie Brown, Performance and Family Programs Manager, at
sherrie@artsforlearningsd.org or 619.282.7599 x114
Customized Family Arts Night
Do you have an idea for a Family Arts Night that fits your specific needs?
Let us know. Call 619.282.7599 x114
Let’s discuss your topic, the number of people you are expecting to attend, location and budget. Or combine a Family Arts Night with a Back to School Night, PTA event, a school fundraiser or as a great opportunity to promote family involvement at your school. The options are endless!