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Ice Cream For Breakfast! Harry Potter, Wacky Doodles and More!
JULY 7   8:00am – 9:00am

Ice cream for breakfast!  

Treat yourself one morning this summer and start the day off with vanilla or chocolate! 

 
   
JULY 14   8:00pm

  

HARRY POTTER  

MOVIE NIGHT!

Come watch Harry Potter #7 part 1 before you go to a midnight screening of part 2!

Harry Potter trivia and prizes! Costumes optional. 

 
   
JULY 19   3:00pm – 4:00pm
Fancy Nancy Afternoon Tea
dress in your fanciest clothes and have fancy cookies, fancy tea, and learn the fanciest manners, dahling!

 
   
July 26   2:00pm – 3:00pm

Wacky Doodles!

Create all sorts of kooky characters in this super-fun doodle workshop!

*With artist Michael Slack!*
   
August 1   5:00pm – 6:00pm

Pet Parade!

Bring your pet and meet others–prizes for best dressed pet, largest pet, smallest pet, and many more categories!

 
   
August ??
SECRET FIRE ENGINE VISIT
CALL THE STORYTELLER BETWEEN JUL 29-AUG 5 TO FIND OUT WHEN THE FIRE ENGINE WILL ARRIVE! 

 
   
August 16   7:00pm – 8:00pm
Karaoke for Kids!
Come rock out with us.

 
   
August 25   4:00pm – 5:00pm
YOUNG ADULT
BOOK EXCHANGE
Bring a book you’d recommend (or two, or three…) and leave with something new (or two, or three…)! 

 
 
 
 
The Storyteller | 925 284 3480 | 30 Lafayette Circle | Lafayette | CA | 94549

 

Writing Prompts:

1.  You have a very funny pet.  What is it?  Create the most unique pet in the world.  Describe it.  What does it do, that no other pet in the world can do?  Take it to the Peculiar Pet Parade!  What other pets march and perform?   Be wacky and wild!

2.  Use the characters in Harry Potter to write a new chapter of your own.

3.  Create Wacky Doodle art!

4.  The fire alarm just rang.  Write a story from the 

a.  fire’s point of view  

b. the fire engine’s point of view   

c.  a person trapped in the fire  

d.  a rescuer going into the fire

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Hot Button Memories

While choosing fresh vegetables at a farmer’s market, I wandered upon an unusual jewelry display.  A woman had fashioned bracelets and rings out of old buttons that acted as a door to decades in the past. 

“Wow!  I can see this on a 1940s coat,” I said, examining a large green button. 

The woman at the booth pointed to a pink button on a bracelet that jangled at her wrist.  “I remember the exact housedress my mother wore,” she said. 

Just the other day when I rummaged around in my closet I came upon a box of buttons my mother had given us. When my son was little he loved playing with those buttons.  Now it was my turn to treasure them.  “If I gave you some buttons will you make me. . .”

“Sure!  People do it all the time,” she answered. 

I couldn’t wait to get home.  Digging out the button box, I felt like a kid, spreading the buttons on the table, sorting them into colors.  Sadly, I didn’t have any concrete memories of the outfits they had been attached to.

Until one flipped over.  There!  Black and white material, still on the button!   An image of my mother wearing the white and black dress she had made, her trim figure standing with her enviable posture next to me in church, with a little black veil on her head.  Or if we had forgotten our veils, we’d attach a piece of Kleenex with a bobby pin.

Of course, that day at the farmers market I walked out of there with a $15 bracelet, and a longing to come back with my very own buttons. 

Writing prompts:

  1. Find an object of your past that brings a flash of an old memory for you.  Write about that memory.  Can you recreate a scene? 
  2. Choose a button or a piece of clothing.  Let it take you back to a memory.  Write about it as if it were today.  Then change it slightly and make it fiction.  What could have happened?  You can star in this yourself, or create a completely new character. 
  3. Interview a member of your family about a special piece of clothing.  What was their favorite thing they EVER wore?  Why?
  4. Write about your favorite piece of clothing.  What makes it special?  Using details, describe what it looks like and how it makes you feel when you wear it.
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Do Your Words Have Power?

Writer’s Prompt: 

How can you use your words for power in a good way?    Some people use writing to help charities.  Others do random acts of kindness.  Writers everywhere spread their beauty and art for all to enjoy. 

What will you do?

Write your way to find out.

Watch this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hzgzim5m7oU

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Calling All Artists! Use Your Imagination to Win!

Can you draw a portrait of a person using only ten lines?  Or describe the view from an imaginary window?  Create Your Own Masterpiece by May 13, 2011 and five winners will have their art displayed at two MoMA stores (Museum of Modern Art) in New York and will be featured on the Chronicle Books website.  They will also receive prizes including a one-year MoMA family membership, a deluxe set of art materials, and the entire collection of MoMA Modern Kids products!

(Every contest is good experience, helps build your portfolio and is lots of fun!)

Entries must be postmarked by May 13, 2011.  To read the contest rules, visit

www.chroniclebooks.com/MoMA

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Cartooning Classes for Kids

June Cartooning Classes: Monday through Friday, 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Cost:  $100 per week for Cartoon Art Museum members, $135 for non-members

 


It’s time for our sixth annual Summer Cartooning Classes! Cartoonist Brian Kolm will teach students how to storyboard, the basics of traditional animation and stop motion, and how to create their own cartoon characters, super heroes and more!

Ages: Intermediate level artists from 10-14 years old.
 
Time: All sessions run Monday through Friday from 2:00PM to 4:00 PM at the Cartoon Art Museum
 (For past students: please note the time of these classes is different.)
 
Number of students: The class size is limited to no more than 14 students. The class is filled on a first come, first served basis.
 
Cost*: $100 per week for CAM members, $135 non-members – per student for each session.  Fees must be paid in full to secure a seat in the class.
 Sign up as a member and save! ( http://cartoonart.org/join-support/membership/ )
 
Supplies: Basic Drawing Materials will be provided. Students are welcome to bring in their personal sketchbooks and materials.
 
 To enroll: click on the links below for each class you are signing up for.  Online reservations are sponsored by Guestlist.

June 13-17:  Introduction to Stop Motion

Time: 2pm – 4pm
Ages: Intermediate Artists ages 10-14

Sign up at: http://guestli.st/48630

 
Stop motion is one of the earliest animation techniques, but it remains one of the most vibrant and challenging forms of animation.  Films like The Nightmare Before Christmas, Coraline, Wallace and Gromit, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Chicken Run and James and the Giant Peach have led to a resurgence in this amazing genre.  This class will explore the basics of stop motion films, and teams of students will create their own short animation as a final project.
   
Skills featured: Teamwork, Frame by Frame Animation, Digital Video Editing, Storytelling
  
Samples created by previous classes can be seen here:
  
2008 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PErCriCa4U
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vD271b_KPxU

2010 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0ntoQHYQxY 

June 20 to June 24:  Dynamic Character Design

Time: 2pm – 4pm
Ages: Intermediate Artists ages 10-14

Sign up at: http://guestli.st/48639

Great stories begin with great characters!  Through storytelling and design techniques, students will create their own original characters, developing the character’s personality and appearance, resulting in a final piece of presentation-ready artwork.
   
Skills featured: Drawing, Basic Anatomy, 3d Visualization, Storytelling, Penciling, Inking


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Cartoon Art Museum • 655 Mission Street • San Francisco, CA 94105 • 415-CAR-TOON • www.cartoonart.org
Hours:  Tues. – Sun. 11:00 – 5:00, Closed Monday
General Admission: $7.00 • Student/Senior: $5.00 • Children 6-12: $3.00 • Members & Children under 6: Free

The Cartoon Art Museum is a tax-exempt, non-profit, educational organization dedicated to the collection,
preservation, study and exhibition of original cartoon art in all forms.

Please also fill out and submit the waiver and emergency contact form. Mail or hand-deliver the completed waiver and emergency form to: Cartoon Art Museum; 655 Mission Street; San Francisco, CA 94105 attn: Cartoon Boot Camp, email to: [email protected] or fax to: 415-243-8666. For any questions, please call: 415-227-8666 x300.

*Cancellation: All participants must be pre-paid prior to the first day of the session. Full refunds given with 2 weeks cancellation notice prior to the first day of the session. 50% refund given within 7 to 13 days of the first day of the session. No refunds given within 6 days prior to the first day of the session.

June 6-10 Story Board to Animatic

Time: 2pm – 4pm
Ages: Intermediate Artists ages 10-14

Sign up at: http://guestli.st/48603
  
Storyboards have been used since the early days of animation, evolving into a way to pre-visualize a film before time and money was spent on a project. Animatics combine storyboards with sound to create a “real time” film.
   
This class will teach the art of pre-visualizing a film project through the storyboard stage.  Teams of students will visualize a short scene with pre-recorded audio.
   
Samples created by last year’s class can be seen here:
  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZefeHkzYiM <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZefeHkzYiM>
   
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B977VS3bn-c
   
Skills featured: Teamwork, Storytelling, Digital Video Editing
  

Cartoon Art Museum Classes:

Cartoon BOOT Camp – Summer 2011

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Create a Model for a Children’s Book

Look at this fabulous contest where kids used potatoes and created their favorite characters from children’s books!   If you are a teacher or librarian you could try it too. 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/aj_fotos/sets/72157625109250067/show/

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Remember to Live

What happens when you are working on a BIG project that at some point makes you feel overwhelmed or wondering if you are making enough progress? 

1.  Make a list of  items within your big project.  It could be creating a list of scenes you need to write, specific people or time periods you need to research, or places you need to describe. 

2.  Give yourself small daily goals.  What is something you can write today and feel successful?

3.  If you don’t have time to write or do your art today, at least carve out 10-20 minutes to daydream about your project.  Sometimes this is more productive than sitting at the computer!

4.  If you feel comfortable in sharing with a writing partner, friend, or writing group, discuss your project and the roadblocks you may have. 

 My husband and I went out to dinner last night with another couple, she being an avid writer,  and within a few minutes of brainstorming together they got me motivated all over again.

5.  Reward yourself.  After you do finish a difficult interview, scene, or bit of research, make sure you have a break with a nice treat.   Get yourself away from your work and take a walk, see a movie or get out with friends and family.  

 Sometimes we get so wrapped up in our work we forget to spend time with those we love.

Remember to live.

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Oodles of Doodles Creativity Contest

Due date:  October 31, 2010

Calling all kids!  Do you like to doodle and draw?  

  Visit http://www.peekkids.com/tarogomi/ and download an entry form for this contest.

Five grand prize winners will receive:

* A deluxe set of art materials

* A limited edition, framed print autographed by Taro Gomi

* The full collection of Chronicle’s Taro Gomi books and gifts

Good luck!

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Garden Art Inspires Writing

A trip to a Northern California garden filled with garden art such as the Bird of Peace, the

Cat and Mouse and the Gummy Art.  The flowers and cacti added meditative inspiration. Use the photographs below to inspire your own works of art, poetry, descriptions, fiction and nonfiction writing. 

 

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K – 12 Art and Writing Contest – RECEIVED by May 24

What the World Needs Now . . .

The Museum of Children’s Art (MOCHA) is seeking innovative thought, provocative art, and “out of the box” answers that respond to the question, What does the world need now?

Maybe you’ve imagined a simple act that can make a difference or even a global plan that requires the entire planet to participate.  Perhaps you have an outlandish invention you and your friends have been talking about.  We want to see your thoughtful ideas come to life through art!

A jury will award prizes to entries that display extreme creativity, clarity of thought, and excellence in visual and written presentation. You could see your work on the cover of a magazine or win a cash prize or scholarship.

All entires will be exhibited and YOU will be our honored guest at the Opening Night Gala at MOCHA on June 5, 2010.  Bring your family and friends and enjoy an evening of great art, food, fun projects and entertainment. Selected entries will be on display at MOCHA from June 6 – July 15 and will travel to subsequent exhibits at regional and global venues.

Competition Guidelines

Build and idea

*Focus on one topic. (Example:  animal extinction, hunger, homelessness, global warming, etc . . .) Research the cause of the problem & the way adults have tried to solve it.

*Brainstorm your own solution. Be imaginative, thoughtful or even silly. Believe that anything is possible!

Make Something

*Art may be of any media, including photography and digital art.  Crayons and paint are great, too!

*Three-dimensional art can be no larger than a 2″ cube.

*No electrical components will be allowed.

*Art must be original work not previously exhibited.

Write About it.

*Write about your solution for a better world in an artist statement of 200 words or less.  (typed or handwritten)

*Tell us:  What does the world need now?

*Describe your solution and any details that will enhance our understanding of your artwork.

Submission of Entries

*All Artwork must be accompanied by a written artist statement and an entry form, securely attached.

*Entries must be mailed or delivered to:  MOCHA, 538 9th St., Suite 210, Oakland, CA  94607.  Drop off hours are 10 am – 4 pm.

*ART MUST BE RECEIVED BETWEEN MAY 10  MAY 24.

For more information see www.mocha.org

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