NW MI Arts & Culture Network

Art Rapids in Elk Rapids used its minigrant to offer clay workshops for children in Antrim county during summer 2021. Two different age groups benefitted from Art Rapids Clay Camp with Phil Wilson of ClaySpace. All took place at Art Rapids Walk of Art.

Two different age groups benefitted from Art Rapids Clay Camp with Phil Wilson of ClaySpace. Summary of both workshops are included here.

Totem for the North Woods
This project engaged 13 children, 8 to 12 years old, in a series of activities designed to increase their awareness of the animal life in the north woods and their relationship to these woodland co-residents . Using visual aids and discussion students were introduced to the totem cultures of the Pacific Northwest and both the imagery and the motives of these tribal groups. The heightened awareness of a major North American cultural heritage has made a direct impact on the students and their families and the totem installation resulting from the student’s work will influence the many hundreds of visitors to the Walk of Art Park.

Putting a Face On Trees
Young children can be intimidated by the woods, or perhaps merely oblivious to its amazing, detailed beauty. The old world tradition of the Greenman basically grew out of the same response to the fearsome nature of the forest in medieval Europe by literally putting a human face on it. This project introduced young children (5-8 years) to the beautiful detail and identity of the north woods.
Students toured the Park observing sculpture referencing the woodland and also collecting and identifying leaves of various trees and plants. Drawing and rubbing textures followed, a drawn human face collaged with paper foliage, then a small maquette Greenman/woman in clay allowing idea development, finally a full scale ceramic version with textured detail and underglaze paint.

For more about Art Rapids: http://artrapids.net/