Following are a list of past public programs planned especially for the local community. Children and adults were invited to explore the museum on interactive tours led by Oberlin College students docents, participated in a variety of special activities, and created their own art. Tutors from Oberlin College's America Reads program were there with free books for kids, too. Please check the current listings for upcoming family events at the AMAM.
2012:
Fall Programs:
Community Arts and Culture Day
Friday, October 12, 11:00 am until 3:00 pm
Four area organizations have teamed up to offer activities and workshops to area students when Oberlin City Schools are off for NEOEA Day (Northeast Ohio Educators Association), Friday, October 12. Parents looking for something to do can bring their young learners out, where a variety of activities and cultural events await. Most activities are geared towards primary school-aged children. Adult chaperones are required at all locations. All activities are free and open to the public.
Participating organizations include the Allen Memorial Art Museum, Firelands Association for the Visual Arts (FAVA), Oberlin Heritage Center, the Oberlin Public Library, and America Reads.
Elementary school-age children, and their adult chaperones, can travel across the “city-state” of ’Oberlandia,’ and experience a variety of events. The AMAM will offer art activities including embossing, triptych making, and creating works inspired by Joan Miró.
FAVA-AMAM Teen Workshop
Saturdays: November 10 and 17, December 1 and 8
Theme: Renaissance Painting. This class will take students through the many steps - from commissioning through framing - that were required from artists during the Renaissance to create the spectacular works we know today. By the end of the workshop, students will have developed, sketched, ponced, underpainting, painted, gilded, and framed a painting of their own. The class will also introduce students to artistic concepts of the period, such as the development of perspective, and will take a tour of the "Religion, Ritual and Performance" exhibition.
Summer Camps
AMAM-Oberlin Heritage Center Junior Docent Camp
June 25-29, 2012, 9am to 3pm
“A Week at the Museums”
The Oberlin Heritage Center and Allen Memorial Art Museum are teaming up to offer a behind-the-scenes camp for teens. Campers will tour an art museum, history museum, and a historic house and find out answers to questions like "How do you choose what goes on the wall?" "Where does all of this stuff come from?" and "Is this really 300 years old?!" Kids will learn about daily museum operations, in the galleries and in the collections, by talking with professionals, trying activities just like the pros, and working on a mini project that friends and family can see at the end of the week. This camp is perfect for youth wanting to learn more about museums and careers in art and history. Participants can also volunteer at the museums following the camp to earn service hours. Click here to download one of the registration forms for the camp. For more information, you can also contact camp instructors Liz Schultz at tourinfo@oberlinheritage.org or Jason Trimmer at trimmer@oberlin.edu.
FAVA-AMAM Kids Summer Camp
August 20-24, 2012, 9am to 3pm
The Firelands Association for the Visual Arts (FAVA) and the Allen Memorial Art Museum (AMAM) will collaborate on this summer art camp for kids ages 6 to 12. Students will learn a variety of materials, mediums, and techniques from practicing artists from around the city and region. The camp will end with a “closing reception” featuring a display of all the work produced by students during the camp. For more information or to register, For more information, or to register, please contact the AMAM Education Department at (440) 775-8671, or email jtrimmer@oberlin.edu; you can also contact James Peake, Educator at FAVA, at favaeducation@oberlin.net, or call (440) 774-7158.
Spring 2012 Programs:
Community Day
Saturday, March 10, from 1pm until 4pm
Come explore, learn, and create at this special event for families! Education staff and student docents will be on hand to help you with projects and take you on thematic tours of the museum’s collection.
FAVA-AMAM Teen Workshop
Theme: Fiber Arts
Saturdays: March 17, 24, 31 and April 5, from 1pm until 4pm
The collaboration between the Firelands Association for the Visual Arts (FAVA) and the Allen Memorial Art Museum continues its popular run. Created specifically for middle- and high-school aged students, this workshop features an intensive studio based course accompanied by an academic component presented by the AMAM staff.
This semester’s workshop will delve into the world of textiles with a sampling of the numerous forms of fiber arts, including sewing, embroidery, quilting, fabric dying and more. Students will complete individual projects as well as contribute to a collaborative piece for public display. Each class will include a short lecture to give students a historical context for the artwork they are creating. This teen workshop series traditionally concludes with a student exhibition and gallery reception at FAVA.
All materials will be provided free of charge. This class fills up quickly and will be limited to 15 students. Please contact the AMAM Education Department for more information or to register.
Fall 2011 Programs:
Community Arts and Culture Day
Friday, October 14 - 11am until 3pm
Four area organizations have teamed up to offer activities and workshops to area students when Oberlin City Schools are off for NEOEA Day, Friday, October 14. Parents looking for something to do can bring your young learners out, where a variety of activities and cultural events await. Most activities are geared towards primary school-aged children. Adult chaperones are required at all locations. All activities are free, and open to the public.
Participating organizations include the Allen Memorial Art Museum, Firelands Association for the Visual Arts (FAVA), Oberlin Heritage Center, the Oberlin Public Library, and the Oberlin College America Reads program.
This year’s Arts and Culture Day theme is “Old and Lost Technologies,” and visitors can enjoy games, crafts and more all around town from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Events will take place at these locations:
FAVA (Firelands Association for the Visual Arts)—at 39 South Main Street, will take a look back in time with a historically themed art project;
The Oberlin Public Library—65 South Main Street, children can design a flip and mix character book, assemble their own secret coding device, and decode a mysterious message. America Reads volunteers will also be on hand to distribute free books to participants.
The Little Red Schoolhouse and Monroe House—located behind 73 South Professor Street, hosted by the Oberlin Heritage Center; parking available off 20 West Vine Street. At the OHC, participants can send a message in Morse code and explore cool, old objects;
The Allen Memorial Art Museum—87 North Main Street, will offer activities and storytelling based on the theme of old objects and mysteries. Tours of the newly renovated galleries will also be offered.
Families can visit one site or all four and try their hand at many different activities. Participants who visit three out of the four locations will be able to enter a special raffle drawing, with prizes offered by local arts organizations. All activities related to the Community Arts and Culture Day event are free and open to all members of the public. For more information, please contact any of the participating organizations, or the AMAM Education Department at 775-8671.
FAVA-AMAM Teen Workshop
Saturdays: October 29 - November 19, 1pm until 4pm
Studies in Painting
The collaboration between the Firelands Association for the Visual Arts (FAVA) and the Allen Memorial Art Museum (Oberlin College) continues its popular run. Created specifically for middle- and high-school aged students, this workshop features an intensive studio based course focusing on artwork or media represented in the AMAM collection.
This semester, FAVA and AMAM staff will lead a workshop exploring the art of painting. The class will examine the historical significance of this medium through the ages, focusing on notable artists from several different eras and countries. Students will get a first-hand look at works in the museum with scheduled field trips to the recently re-opened AMAM. The workshop will conclude with a student exhibition and gallery reception at FAVA.
All materials and instructional books will be provided free of charge. This class fills up quickly and will be limited to 15 students, so please call FAVA at (440) 774-7158, or the AMAM Education Department at (440) 775-8671 for more information and to enroll.
2011:
FAVA-AMAM Workshop
Saturdays: February 26 through March 19
1pm until 4pm
Printing Techniques
This semester, FAVA and AMAM staff will lead a workshop exploring various techniques of print making. The class will examine the historical significance of printing through the ages, focusing on significant printmakers from several different eras and countries. Students will learn a handful of different printing methods through various guided projects. The workshop will conclude with a student exhibition and gallery reception.
2010:
FAVA AMAM Workshop
Saturdays: October 30, November 6, 13, 20
Theme: Comic Art
This semester, Curator of Education Jason Trimmer led a workshop exploring the many techniques of comic book (or sequential) art. The class will look at the development of the medium and some of its most well known expressions in popular culture. The workshop will conclude with the creation of a mini-comic compiling the students' best work.
FAVA AMAM Workshop
Saturdays: March 6, 13, 20, 27, 2010
Theme: Photography
The collaboration between the Firelands Association for the Visual Arts (FAVA) and the AMAM continues its popular run. Created especially for middle- and high-school aged students, this workshop features an intensive studio based course focusing on artwork or media represented in the AMAM collection.
To see works created by students in this workshop - click here.Oberlin Chalk Walk Workshops 2010
FOR KIDS AND FAMILIES: Introduction to Chalk Art
Saturday, June 12 - 10:30am – 12:30pm
Oberlin Public Library
With local artist and teacher Donna Shurr
Chalk Walk Public Workshop
Saturday, June 19 - 2pm until 4pm
A public workshop for learning the techniques and history of ‘sidewalk painting’ will be held one week prior to the event, on Saturday, June 19, from 2pm until 4pm. Instructed by master artist Dan Cherney, this workshop is free and open to the public. Materials will be provided. Meet in front of Hall Auditorium.
2009:
Community Arts and Culture Day
Friday, October 16 – 12pm until 3pm
Four area organizations have teamed up to offer activities and workshops to area students when Oberlin City Schools are off for NEOEA Day, Friday, October 16. Parents looking for something to do can bring your young learners out, where a variety of activities and cultural events await. Most activities are geared towards primary school-aged children. Adult chaperones are required at all locations. All activities are free, and open to the public.
From 10am until 3pm at the Oberlin Depot, there will be historic games and activities offered by the Oberlin Heritage Center. Children can try writing with a quill and ink, play marbles, express their creativity with craft projects, walk on stilts, and try other fun outdoor and indoor games.
Beginning at 12pm until 3pm, the Allen Memorial Art Museum will offer a mask making activity and West African Drumming Workshop, instructed by artists from Young Audiences of Northeast Ohio. AMAM student docents will also help with this fun day of creating and learning about art from West and Central Africa.
Also beginning at 12pm and running until 3pm, FAVA is offering a LEGO and block building workshop. Let your inner child run wild with these classic building toys. Construct vehicles, buildings, robots or whatever you want! Parts and pieces will be provided, but please note that participants will not be allowed to take projects home. Instead, photographs will be taken of completed models and posted for all to see so that building blocks may be saved for future use. Pre-registration is not required!
From 12pm until 5pm, the Oberlin Public Library is holding “Game On!” – a day of games and activities for kids ages 8 –18! This will be held in the meeting room of the library.
FAVA-AMAM Workshop
Saturdays, November 7, 14 and 21
December 5
1 to 4pm
This popular collaboration between the AMAM and the Firelands Association for the Visual Arts returns. Geared especially towards middle and high school age students, this workshop provides instruction and materials free of charge. For more information, visit the museum’s website. The Fall 2009 workshop will be instructed by Jean Weigl, and will focus on gallery drawing in the AMAM.
Community Day
Saturday, April 4 – 12pm until 3pm
This popular event for local families and their younger learners returns!
Students will take a trip around the world with the help of Oberlin College student docents. Docents will show kids works depicting Italy, France, Egypt, Japan, China, and more, then help them create their own watercolor postcards depicting their journey! When they "return" to Oberlin, they can join arts educator James Peake in the AMAM rose garden to create origami flowers to decorate the garden and mark the arrival of spring! Also, staff and docents will read books on the theme of travel, and there will be a free book giveaway from the Oberlin College America Reads program.
FAVA-AMAM Workshop
Saturdays: March 21 - April 18
1pm until 4pm
Instructor: Anne Maiden
Theme: Ceramics
The collaboration between the Firelands Association for the Visual Arts (FAVA) and the AMAM continues its popular run. Created especially for middle- and high-school aged students, this workshop combines an intensive studio based course with thematic tours at the museum led by Oberlin College student docents. All materials are provided free of charge to participants.
2008:
Community Day
Friday, October 17 – 12pm until 3pm
This popular event for local families and their younger learners returns! Scheduled for an ‘off day’ at Oberlin City Schools, this event features a workshop instructed by an artist from Young Audiences of Northeast Ohio, and a free book giveaway from the Oberlin College ‘America Reads’ program.
The theme of this semester’s Community Day is Native American Art and will feature a hands-on print making workshop, where students will explore cultural symbols as an artist from Young Audiences of Northeast Ohio assists students in creating their own prints. American Indian symbols will be incorporated to support the study and understanding of other cultures. Students will discuss symbols and their meanings, then carve symbols into a piece of styrofoam which is used with ink and paper to make beautiful prints. This event features Cleveland-area artist Bonnie Dolin, a painter and printmaker whose work has appeared in solo and group exhibitions throughout the region for nearly three decades.
FAVA-AMAM Workshop
Saturdays: October 25 – November 15
1pm until 4pm
The collaboration between the Firelands Association for the Visual Arts (FAVA) and the AMAM continues its popular run. This semester's workshop will be instructed by local artist Claudio Orso, and will focus on the art of woodblock printmaking.
Created especially for middle- and high-school aged students, this workshop combines an intensive studio based course with thematic tours at the museum led by Oberlin College student docents. This class fills up quickly, so please call FAVA at (440) 774-7158, or the AMAM Education Department at (440) 775-8671 for more information or to enroll.
Community Day
Friday, March 21
Noon to 3pm
This semester's Community Day will feature an artist from Young Audiences of Northeast Ohio leading an arts workshop geared especially towards primary school students. Parents, mark your calendars! Community Day is taking place on a day when Oberlin City Schools are off, providing a fun and educational activity for your children.
The featured artist for Community Day, Augusto Bordelois, will be familiar to area residents from his participation in the annual Oberlin Chalk Walk. His workshop, titled ‘Dinosaur Fables,’ is an interactive combination of storytelling and real-time illustration that will keep students laughing and learning from the beginning to end. ‘Dinosaur Fables’ will help to explain the “big picture”; the relationship between human behavior and nature. The stories are an amusing “hook” to reflect on real issues, such as the water cycle, the depletion of natural resources and alternative energy sources.
FAVA-AMAM Workshop
Saturdays, April 12 - May 10
1pm to 4pm
The collaboration between the Firelands Association for the Visual Arts (FAVA) and the AMAM continues with a workshop created especially for middle and high-school aged students. The program combines an intensive studio-based course with thematic tours at the museum led by Oberlin College student docents. This semester's theme is portraiture and will be taught by Oberlin artist Gregory Cross. This class fills up quickly, so please call FAVA at (440) 774-7158, or the AMAM Education Department at (440) 775-8671 for more information or to enroll.
