The Marion Art Center (MAC) hosts ArtWeek 2019 with several FREE events for kids and families. Come to the MAC on Saturday, April 27, 10:00 am – 11:30 am for the Process Art Party: Found Object Instruments with instructor Benares Angeley from Children’s Art Lab in Mattapoisett. In this instrument-making workshop, we’ll use recyclable materials to create working instruments along with festive masks and banners. At the end of class, there will be a joyful parade around the MAC! Benares is an enthusiastic “artistic guide” for kids, giving them the tools and space to explore the creative process.
Later in the day on Saturday, April 27, from 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm, there will be Irish Step Dancing hosted by O’Riley Irish Dance (OID) on the MAC Stage. Join us for an afternoon of traditional performance and participatory dancing with live music! OID is a non-competitive program for kids and teens and is located in Boston. They will perform a selection of dances from their show “In Harmony,” plus some new pieces. After the performance, the audience will be invited up for a family ceili! All dances will be easy, inclusive, and taught for kids and families to enjoy.
The Council on Aging will co-host the Seniors & Children: Create & Connect workshop at The Benjamin D. Cushing Community Center, 465 Mill Street in Marion (just up the street from the MAC) on Saturday, May 4, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. Instructor Barbara Greenspan will guide the group in making this unique project using a small wooden tray, modge-podge, tissue, and decorative papers. These trays can be for personal use or given as a gift. This is an easy and creative way for seniors and children to connect in a relaxed and friendly environment!
To wrap up ArtWeek, the MAC will offer a day of fun for all ages – it’s the MAC Sidewalk “Sale-abration” on Sunday, May 5, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm. Shop the treasures unearthed while cleaning out the MAC from attic to basement – and participate in a community art project led by artist Tracy Silva Barbosa. Using water-based chalk paint, we’ll decorate the surface of Main Street in front of the MAC with designs based on the famous blue and white tiles known as “Azulejos” in Portugal. Adults and children are welcome to participate. There will also be a food truck, face-painting, a balloon artist, and bargains galore on everything from theater props to art supplies. Note: The Azulejos street painting with Tracy Silva Barbosa will take place from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm. Balloon art is scheduled from 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm, and face painting will occur between 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm.
All of these events are free! Please note that registration is required for all events except the “sale-abration.” Children must be accompanied by an adult for all activities – bring the entire family! Register online at www.marionartcenter.org/artweek.