About 150 students, parents and others attended the imaginatively creative, wo-hour, Family Art Night, a Make & Take Art Event March 19th in the Newark High School cafeteria.
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Courtney Dentel, Lincoln and Perkins School Visual Arts teacher who is also Pre-K through 12th grade Art Department Leader said the Newark Visual & Media Arts Department, in collaboration with the NHS Art Club, proudly hosted a vibrant and engaging Family Art Night for families and their children from UPK to 12th grade.
“This event was designed to foster creativity, strengthen family bonds, and celebrate the joy of artistic expression,” she said.
Families had the opportunity to explore a variety of art stations, each offering unique and fun-filled activities including:
• Design a Hat: Unleashed their inner fashion designer by creating personalized hats.
• Aluminum Foil Printing: Experimented with textures and patterns using aluminum foil to create stunning prints.
• Ink Coaster Tile Making: Crafted beautiful coasters with intricate ink designs.
• Canvas Painting: Expressed their creativity on canvas with paints and brushes.
• Shrinky Dink Key Chains: Designed and shrunk their own key chains for a fun keepsake.
• Button Making: Created custom buttons to wear or share.
• Mindful Coloring: Relaxed and unwound with mindful coloring activities.
• Community Table Mural: Collaborated on a large mural that represented the community's collective creativity.
• Famous Painting Selfie Booth: Posed with props and backgrounds inspired by famous paintings for memorable selfies.
“The joy and peace in the cafeteria were palpable,” Dentel said. “It felt like a giant art studio! When families engage in creative activities together it helps them connect and build stronger relationships. Events like Family Art Night bring the community together, creating a sense of belonging and shared experiences.
“Family Art Night was a lovely success, filled with laughter, creativity, and memorable moments. I am thankful for and proud of my art teacher colleagues _ Katy Broach, Keely McGowan and Samantha Rathbun at Newark High School; Kristen Pullen and Lisa Stringer at the Middle School and Kaylee Stoneham at Kelley School and the NHS Art Club members for doing an outstanding job planning, setting up, and managing the various stations, ensuring that everyone had a fantastic time.
“So many families commented on how much fun this was and how they hope for more art events in the future,” Dentel continued.
Like Kelly Tyler, a Newark CSD parent and alumna.
"We were so happy to come and be a part of Family Art Night! My kids had so much fun making different art pieces and seeing other friends' creations. Huge thank you to the Newark Visual & Media Arts teachers and the NHS Art Club for their ongoing commitment to engage our children's creative minds! Lots of proud artwork to show off tonight.” “I would also like to thank Dr. Jennifer Sinsebox for presenting our department with an opportunity to share the benefits
of artmaking with families in our community. This event was funded by the 21st Century Community Center Learning grant.”