Week 3: We made jewelry, starting with bracelets, but some students decided to make necklaces or rings as well. Me and Virginia demonstrated how to make a bracelet using beads and wire, and they really impressed me with how excited and focused they were. Some of them made full matching sets! The project taught them patience, especially when they added too many beads or ran out of space to tie the bracelet. The idea of wearing their bracelets forever because they weren't big enough, made them laugh, which made the activity even more fun.

Week 4: We learned new art vocabulary like weaving, loom, fiber art, warp, and weft. The students practiced the over-under weaving pattern and even had the chance to thread the knitting needle themselves. They each chose two types of yarn to start and some added more colors later on. No one has taken their weaving home yet since they still need to finish the edges and remove them from the loom. Both groups have been incredibly kind and supportive, when one artist struggles with a technique, others are quick to jump in and help. With our younger kids, we’ve had great conversations about how the color of an apron or knitting needle doesn’t matter; what matters is the color and creativity we put into our art.

In Art Club, kids are given extra time to finish their projects, which is really important because it allows them to focus on enjoyment and personal satisfaction rather than feeling rushed. If a student is really absorbed and wants to keep working on their piece, I always encourage that, I don’t want to stop their creative flow. I also let them decide when to take their artwork home; if they choose not to, it means they’re still working on it, and that’s a wonderful part of their artistic growth. This freedom and patience are such an important part of nurturing their creativity. It’s wonderful to watch their ideas take shape and grow when they have the time and space to explore them fully.

-Elizabeth