Crafts
Young Rembrandts: Power of Drawing - The Mandala
Saturday September 26, 2015: 1:00pm to
2:00pm
Downtown Library: Secret Lab
Grades 1–5
Crafts
Young Rembrandts: Power of Drawing – Cartooning
Saturday September 19, 2015: 1:00pm to
2:00pm
Downtown Library: Secret Lab
Grades 1–5
Blog Post
Library Lists: Introducing Fine Art to Kids!
by eapearce
We know that kids love to create their own art, and children can recognize and be influenced by different artistic styles from a very young age. Learning about fine art can seem dry, but there are lots of great books geared towards younger ages that introduce famous artists and their work in fun and unique ways. Here are a few suggestions:
In the family-oriented An Eye For Art, children are introduced to over 50 famous artists and their work representing a huge range of styles and techniques. Related activities ranging from focused looking to creative writing and the child’s own artistic development accompany the information and images about each artist.
Learning Through Art, published by the Guggenheim Museum, offers art and art appreciation exercises based on well-known 20th century paintings and pieces from the Guggenheim.
Art Up Close: From Ancient to Modern is a beautiful book that emphasizes the finer points of various masterpieces by turning them into an “I Spy”-like game. In the same series, and just as well-done, are the Louvre Up Close and Masterpieces Up Close.
In Modern Art Adventures, kids are introduced to the fresh and unusual artistic styles of the past three centuries, then let loose to create their own art inspired by the techniques they’ve learned. Over 35 hands-on projects make sure that there’s something for everyone in this book.
Linnea in Monet’s Garden is an adorable introduction to Monet, his family, his garden at Giverny and his work. Readers will join a young girl as she visits the home and garden of Monet, and the illustrations include photographs from the painter’s life and of his work.
Ooh! Matisse is the most basic of introductions to fine art for the youngest readers. Portions of Matisse’s cut-out paper art are splashed brightly across the pages, and young readers will learn to recognize both the art and the words that describe it (“flower,” “square,” “figure,” etc.)
The Collins Big Book of Art opens with a useful timeline of the history of art: when different styles were developed and where, and what artists were doing around the world at different points in time. This collection is great for kids interested in artistic variety: from cave art to pop art, it has it all.
If you’re interested in other cool fine art books for children, check out the suggestions on this list.
Blog Post
Artist Appreciation: Matisse
by eapearce
Kids in grades 3-8 are encouraged to join us at the downtown library Thursday afternoon, June 25, at 2:00pm for a Henri Matisse program! A short presentation will discuss the artist's life and style of work and then attendees will have the chance to create their own art in the style of Matisse.
This is a great way to learn about and create your own fine art!
Blog Post
New Blexbolex: PEOPLE
by eapearce
Enigmatic French artist and designer Blexbolex won numerous awards for his 2010 book Seasons. His latest book, People, features his signature style of illustrations, and depicts all sorts of people, real, imaginary, historical and legendary. Each illustration of an individual features a single descriptive phrase above it, such as PLUMBER, HIGH DIVER or MARIONETTE. As readers peruse through Blexbolex’s amazing images, they’ll enjoy discovering the connections between his different people. The breath of a shivering man crosses the page to become the smoke from a smoker’s cigarette. A painter, a graffiti artist, a poster hanger and an abstract artist are all depicted in succession and the differences and similarities in their tasks are made subtly clear. I just love how simple and clever Blexbolex’s work is, and how his diverse renderings of people break down preconceived notions of what a traditional WARRIOR or CYCLIST or MAGICIAN might look like. People is a great household book and is enjoyable for every age.
Exhibits
Food of Love: Paintings in Various Media by the Painting Section of the U-M Faculty Women's Club
Tuesday June 16, 2015: 9:00am to
Thursday July 30, 2015
Malletts Creek Branch: Exhibits
Exhibits
New Art Prints from the AADL Collection
Sunday June 14, 2015: 12:00pm to
Tuesday July 14, 2015
Downtown Library: 3rd Floor Exhibit
Blog Post
Michigan Activity Pass - Check Out Free Passes to Michigan Attractions
by Sara W
Looking for adventure? The Michigan Activity Pass (MAP) is newly expanded, offering free or discounted entry to attractions across the state.
Blog Post
Girls Standing On Lawns
by manz
Stand for something,
stand for something!
Otherwise what do
you stand for,
why are you even standing?
Is it possible to fall in love with a book? Of course. This one did not fall short of that. While reading Girls Standing On Lawns I was overcome with a sense of nostalgia, feminism, purpose, and life.
This little book is the first in a series of collaborations between illustrator Maira Kalman, author Daniel Handler, and the Museum of Modern Art. It is filled with photographs of girls standing on lawns that are straight from MoMA's collection. With each photo is text by Handler, with paintings by Kalman interspersed. The way the words and images unfold together is magical and you can’t help but wonder… who are these girls standing on lawns? How many times have we stood on a lawn in a similar fashion on the first day of school, on graduation day, or on Easter Sunday and posed for a quick snapshot whether we wanted to or not? There is such a sense of history and normalcy in looking back at such "unartistic" vernacular photos, and here done in such a touching way.
Blog Post
Call for Entries from Gifts of Art
by monkk
Gifts of Art at the University of Michigan Health System is currently accepting proposals for the August 2015-September 2016 exhibition year!
As one of the first and most comprehensive arts in healthcare programs nationwide, Gifts of Art brings the world of art & music to the University of Michigan Health System. Nine galleries display over 50 exhibits a year. They include 2-D and 3-D spaces that are viewed by approximately 10,000 people a day. The galleries are some of the most widely visited indoor, non-museum exhibit spaces in the state.
Gifts of Art is seeking both solo exhibits by individual artists and group exhibits by arts organizations. Selections will be made from online submissions or submissions by mail. Emailed JPG images or in-person submissions will NOT be considered. The submission deadline is May 31, 2015.
Questions? Call (734) 936-ARTS (2787) or email GiftsofArt@umich.edu or kmtalley@umich.edu.