Mason Gross Extension Division presents FREE series of visual arts workshops for children

(New Brunswick, NJ) -- The first of the Mason Gross School of the Arts' Visual Arts Workshops for children in grades 3 through 8 at the Henry Guest House of the New Brunswick Free Public Library will take place 1-3 p.m. Saturday, October 26, 2013. The event is free and co-sponsored by New Brunswick Free Public Library and Community Perspectives, a Rutgers University student organization whose mission is to more fully engage the school's resources with the area community. This is the first of four workshops happening throughout the school year.

The first workshop of the school year, Día de los Muertos Altars,  is led by Extension Division Visual Arts Department Chairperson Brian Bulfer. The workshop offers children the opportunity to sculpt and decorate dolls, commemorative clay skulls, and other traditional offerings for a group ofrenda (offering) installation dedicated to Latino civil rights leaders who have died.

More information is available by emailing extension@masongross.rutgers.edu or by calling 732-932-8618. All workshops take place at the historic Henry Guest House at the New Brunswick Public Library, 58 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick.

Upcoming workshops at the Henry Guest House are as follows:


Día de los Muertos Altars
October 26, 2013, 1-3 p.m.
Sculpt and decorate offerings honoring Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead).  Participants are encouraged to explore the experience of personal loss when making their creations.  All images and objects made will be included in a single alter to conclude the workshop.

Native American Sand Painting
November 23, 2013 1-3 p.m.
Help create a piece of the puzzle as we design a Native American-style mandala out of sand, leaves, and other materials.  Personal designs will be joined to make a single image at the end of the workshop.

Holi Color Celebration
March 15, 2014, 1-3 p.m.
Through paint and collage, artists will explore basic color relationships such as primaries, secondaries, complements, value, and saturation.  Multicultural patterns and color symbolism will become the subject for abstract compositions.

Dream Kite Making
May 3, 2014, 1-3 p.m.
Students will create an inspiring vision and/or dream for the future on a personal kite they will build and fly at the end of the workshop.