Aurora Public Art sets lineup for final week of free virtual youth programs
Aurora Public Art announced the lineup of free virtual art classes for students sheltering in place amid COVID-19 cancellations.
Summer programming includes sessions across many artistic media. Drawing, painting, music, dance, drama, and culinary arts are among the many offerings.
"This is our final week of virtual programs for Aurora's youth this summer," states Aurora Public Art Director Jennifer Evans. "It's been wonderful to provide access to so many different disciplines and perspectives over the past two months."
Aurora Public Art has also announced a prize drawing for people who have been participating in the virtual classes.
Students are encouraged to ask their parents/guardians to post images of the art they've created after watching the Summer Programming Videos and tag @aurorapublicart on Instagram or Facebook.
Images can also be emailed to cpurl@aurora-il.org.
Each project photo will give the artist an entry into a drawing for a $25 gift card for art supplies.
Projects from all videos posted since the program began are eligible for this contest.
Prizes are courtesy of the Aurora Noon Rotary Club as part of their generous grant to Aurora Public Art to support summer youth programming.
Virtual summer programs will be broadcast on Aurora Public Art's YouTube and Facebook channels at 1 p.m. on the designated day.
Students who are unable to access these sites on school devices may join via Zoom. Please send an email to JEvans@aurora-il.org to get access codes for Zoom sessions.
Otherwise, tune in to Aurora Public Art's YouTube channel or Facebook pages!
All of this week's sessions are sponsored by the Aurora Noon Rotary Club.
• "Musical Monday: Dance Lesson with Simply Destinee" at 1 p.m. July 27. Aurora's Simply Destinee will teach a dance routine.
• "Watercolor Painting with Michelle Curiel" at 1 p.m. Tuesday, July 28. Michelle Curiel (@gemini_designs) will teach the technique of "wet on wet" watercolor. Suggested materials: Pencil, round tip watercolor brushes, watercolor paint (dry palette), watercolor paper.
• "Wooden Block Forms with Jen Evans" at 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 22. Aurora Public Art Director Jen Evans demonstrates one of the projects from APAC's virtual summer camp collaboration with Youth Services and Communities in Schools. Inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright's "Falling Water," students will explore 3-dimensional forms and negative space as they construct a puzzle from wooden blocks. Suggested materials: Glue, tiny wooden cubes/blocks (available from the dollar store - 2 packs should be plenty).
• "Phillips Park Zoo Animal Draw-Along featuring Jen Keller" at 1 p.m. Thursday, July 30. Learn to draw a lynx from the Phillips Park Zoo. Suggested materials: Pencil, eraser, and paper.
• "Foodie Friday: A Culinary Demonstration with Alfredo Castil" at 1 p.m. Friday, July 31. Alfredo Castil teaches how to make seitan, a delicious vegan protein.