In 1990, Socrates Sculpture Park founded the Education Program, offering a variety of innovative classes and activities for children. The goal of the Park's Education Program is to provide an exciting and stimulating curriculum that teaches practical skills for building confidence and a sense of personal achievement. The unique setting of Socrates Sculpture Park provides children with the opportunity to explore their creative talents in an outdoor setting.
Summer Outdoor Artmaking Workshops (July 5 - August 12, 2005)
Saturday Sculpture Workshops (May 21 - August 27, 2005)
Tai Chi Classes (Sundays, May 22 - August 28, 2005)
Yoga Classes (Saturdays, May 21 - August 27, 2005)
For more information about these programs or to make a reservation, please contact Tara Sansone, Director of Education and Community Relations at 718-956-1819, ext. 10.
Summer
Outdoor Artmaking Workshops
July 5 – August 12, 2005
Now in its 15th year of operation, the free Summer Outdoor Artmaking
Workshops offer diverse groups of children from neighborhood youth agencies,
community groups, and summer schools the opportunity to participate in
hands-on activities inspired by the exhibitions at the Park. Taught in
the Park by past and current exhibiting artists, the children learn fundamental
and contemporary art-making techniques. Projects include: sculpture,
drawing, painting, photography, printmaking, performance, and installation.
Two sessions daily: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm – 3:00
pm
Programs are reserved for education and community groups, registration
on a first call basis. For more information about the workshops or to
make a reservation, please contact Tara Sansone, Director of Education
and Community Relations at 718-956-1819, ext. 10.
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Saturday
Sculpture Workshops
May 21– August 27, 2005 (except
July 2)
12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Socrates Sculpture Park is hosting FREE Sculpture Workshops on Saturdays
from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm on a drop-in basis for children ages 5 and
up and their parents (no class on July 3). The Saturday Sculpture Workshops
feature a different artist-led workshop each week offering participants
the opportunity to explore innovative three-dimensional artmaking techniques
using various materials and objects.
May 21 Nature
Prints with McKendree Key
Learn fundamental printmaking techniques and create prints based on
natural objects or themes found in the Park.
May 28 Custom-Made Tinker Toys with Mitch Miller
Use recycled materials to learn the basics of cubism and make customized Tinker
Toys to build figures, monsters or castles.
June 4 Abstract Paper Transfers with Martine Kaczynski
Create multi-colored landscapes, portraits and abstract designs and learn the
technique of paper transfer drawing using colored chalk, newsprint paper and
pencils.
June 11 The Continued Saga of Forced Perspective with Elizabeth
Demaray
Participants use flat 2-dimensional images to create small 3-dimensional versions
of themselves, which actually seem very big.
June 18 Alter-Ego Animal Headdresses with Jennifer Cesere
Using painted paper, found materials and paper buckets, explore painting and
building techniques while creating a unique sculpture to wear.
June 25 Accordian Books with Anna Craycroft
Discover the world of accordion-folded bookmaking and create a book to fill with
drawings of landscapes, seascapes, or original works of art!
July 2 No Class
July 9 Imaginary Planets with Halsey Rodman
Learn basic paper maché skills by manipulating aluminum foil, paper and
tape to create imaginary planets.
July 16 Re(design) with Stephanie Diamond
Inspired by Socrates Sculpture Park’s history as a landfill, discuss the
great benefits of recycling and environmental awareness, then re-design and personalize
an everyday product to make our world a better place.
July 23 African American Quilting of the South with Sol Sax
Learn about the history of quilting in the African American culture of the South
and explore different quilt patterns and the significance of their designs to
create an individual quilt panel.
July 30 Potted Plant Pals with Hope Ginsburg and Amy Madden
Paint or collage a face on a small flowerpot and learn simple gardening techniques
by planting seeds in your customized pots and watching the grass grow into a
lush head of hair for your new flower pot friend.
August 6 Masks of Mystery with Noah Fisher
Throughout the ages, people wore masks to transform themselves into heroes, villains,
and spirits. Using paper, build a character mask to be painted and decorated
with a variety of materials and designs.
August 13 Step Right Up and Take Your Picture with Catarina Leitão
Are you a cowboy in the Wild West or a big green dinosaur? Build your own two-dimensional,
carnival like backgrounds to place your faces in and have your photos taken.
Parents, bring your cameras!
August 20 Rome...Built in a Day with Free Style Arts Association
Using recycled boxes, cardboard, packing tape, construction paper, and other
materials, learn basic architectural and engineering skills to build a site-specific
installation to play in.
August 27 Rick Jacobi’s Fabric Ranch with Free Style Arts Association
Collaborate to create a masterpiece in the Park using yarn, string, rope, and
other materials to create a giant, colorful, 3-dimensional line drawing.
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Tai
Chi Classes
Sundays, May 22– August 28, 2005
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
For the fourth year, Socrates hosts free Tai Chi classes in the Park
led by Aaron Kirtz, a member of the Taoist Tai Chi Society. Participants
will have the chance to relax and exercise among changing exhibitions
of contemporary outdoor sculpture. Classes are
designed for all experience levels. Participants should wear comfortable
clothing.
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Yoga
Classes
Saturdays, May 21– August 27, 2005
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
For the third year, Socrates offers free Kripalu Yoga, a system of Hatha
Yoga that integrates body postures, breathing techniques, relaxation
and meditation. Classes are designed especially for Socrates Sculpture
Park. Led by Monique Schubert, participants are encouraged
to integrate their Yoga practices with this very special environment.
Suitable for all experience levels.
Participants
should wear loose clothing and bring a mat or towel.
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Tours
Artist-led tours of Socrates focus on the accessibility of contemporary
sculpture while
contextualizing the ideas behind viewing art in an outdoor setting. The
artists conduct the tours through open discussions with the group. Topics
include: the history of the Park, past and present exhibiting artists,
and the current exhibitions, and creating artworks in a public space.
Available year round (pre-registration required)
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Private Workshops
Conducted in the Park or in schools, these workshops are customized to
meet the needs and interests of groups ranging from special needs to
younger children and young adults. Subject matter includes a basic introduction
to sculpture making, horticultural and environmental issues in art making,
and long-term workshop projects inspired by the changing exhibitions
in the Park.
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