Two of the things I love about Guelph is the vibrant arts community and the family friendly energy that leads to so many wonderful experiences for families. It’s particularly fun when those two elements intersect, as they have done recently with The Children’s Art Factory. Melissa Mazar opened The Children’s Art Factory in the fall with the goal of offering hands on art exploration for young kids, and a community arts space that can be used for events and art exhibitions. The Children’s Art Factory recently hosted the children’s program for the Guelph Festival of Moving Media, and is currently collecting for an exhibition of Letters to Santa and hosting Saturday’s Little Folk Market for local family friendly artisans (both young artists and adults).
A quick peek in the windows of The Art Factory tells you that this is a creative place to be. You can tell Melissa knows about kids, artistic exploration, and fun. When she’s not busy with The Children’s Art Factory, Melissa works in the children’s department at the Main Branch of the library, she’s mom to 3 great kids, and an artist and creative craftswoman. I chatted with Melissa recently about The Children’s Art Factory.
The Children’s Art Factory is such a wonderful idea. What was your inspiration?
I think having my own children was an inspiration combined with my own background in fine art. I would go to all the play groups with my first child, Max the craft part of the program was almost always too difficult for toddlers. I noticed that my own child never seemed interested in participating. I also found it disappointing that adults tended to “help” their children with the craft but inevitably did the projects for them. And then, I think we took a family trip to London to visit my sister, who was in University, and we ended up visiting the children’s museum there. They had some kind of art program going on for older kids and we went in to check it out. Max must have been about 1 and a half, he of course wasn’t interested in the craft but he did take brushes that were around and started painting on the floor that was covered in paper. He loved it! And I thought, this is so simple. The fact that the paper was on the floor made it easier to explore the paint. The paper wasn’t there for toddlers, it was there so the older kids wouldn’t harm the wooden floor beneath it, but it made me think about how I could further this idea of doing art with very young children.
I started out doing a toddler art program at the library and it quickly grew very popular. Parents loved it because when they came to my program, they were told not to participate. I made them sit down and observe. Most often, it was the parents that always looked for direction, their kids were already off exploring and making art. Small children are instinctively curious and messy creatures, they show us how to art, not the other way around. As someone who has gone through two degrees in art, I can say that art is messy. In fact, you can’t make art without making a mess. Children know this.
I am constantly inspired by them.
When a parent or caregiver and child come to the Children’s Art Factory what can they expect?
MESS! Creative mess and general mess. I want it to be a relaxing and stimulating environment for children. There are very few rules. I want children to feel free to explore each medium at their own pace and to make as many pieces as they want.
Do you have special events or programming happening?
I really want the studio to be a busy and happening place! This month we hosted the children’s films for the festival of moving media and participated in the Santa Claus Parade. Next month, we will be hosting our inaugural craft fair, little folk market, where children will be selling their wares and adult vendors will be selling items that appeal to children and family life. I am excited to start this. As part of my own art education, learning how to display your work is very important. I think children need to see that their art has value. I want to encourage children to see their work as equal to the art made by adults.
At the studio, we also have a gallery that is dedicated to featuring work of interest to children and by children. Right now, a show entitled Oliver’s Monsters is in the gallery. The monsters are drawn by Oliver Pond, age 9. His mom, Laura Pinarello has made stuffed toys of his monsters in order to help him be less afraid of the dark. This show is a perfect example of how we can show children that their art has value and is on par with any professional artist.
On our website, there will be lots of information about opportunities for children to participate in a gallery show. In the future we will be doing a lego show, where children can send me pictures of there awesome lego creations. Also, a secret spaces and hide-a-ways show, where I will be looking for pictures of forts that children build underneath the kitchen table or outside in a tree. All of these things that children do are a part of sculpture. The fact that they are built through play make them magic and all the more important.
Right now, we are looking for children’s letters to Santa. Copies are accepted and you can scan and email them to me too. The gallery will be responsible for framing.
What else is happening at the Children’s Art Factory?
I have a wish list as long as my arm. I really feel like I am only just getting started with the space. My husband Peter, just built a stage in the back of the studio. We will also be building a huge puppet theatre. Costumes and puppets will always be on hand to play with. I think I’d also like to include musical instruments and a drum set for some fun musical play as well. For March break, Sarah Oliver of BiRDEYE family programs and Alisa McRonald will be hosting a week long camp that will introduce puppet making, set design and building. Sarah and Alisa will also be starting a community quilt project. Check our website for details and registration.
What advice do you have for parents wanting to facilitate their children’s artistic exploration?
Allow them to explore everything without putting too many rules and regulations in front of them. Don’t dress them up in clothes they have to worry about getting dirty! I think we all need to set our priorities straight when it comes to parenting a toddler. Toddlers are messy but their messiness is part of how they are learning about the world around them, stifling that kind of creative development can lead to a child having difficulty later on with their own sense of confidence and physical development.
Thanks Melissa! Melissa has graciously offered Guelphkids a $35 gift certificate and two gallery t-shirts to give away to one of our readers. This would be a great holiday gift, or wonderful to use in those dreary winter days. Just leave a comment on this post to enter. If you like guelphkids.com on facebook or follow us on twitter, come back and leave me another comment for a second entry. I will do a random draw and announce the winner on the blog next Saturday.
The Children’s Art Factory is located at 297 Woolwich, right beside The Bakery at With The Grain, and the space is easily accessible by bus or just a short walk from downtown. The Children’s Art Factory is open 9am-12 for drop-in. The Little Folk Market happens this Saturday from 1-5 and features local artisans.
Our contest is now closed. Congratulations to our winner: Wendy Appleby Looks like fun! My two year old twins would have a blast!
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