Celebrating Casa and Su Casa Programs 2024

Demystifying Watercolor Workshop
By Clare Stokolosa

For this year’s SuCasa grant at the Queens Center for Gay Seniors I focused the Demystifying Watercolor Workshop classes on teaching watercolor pencil techniques. The participants had the opportunity to complete four projects which they worked on over time. Each project built on the prior project, yet someone was able to join in even if they weren’t present for all of the prior activities. The lessons focused on composition and the elements of art such as line, color, space, shape, form, pattern and value.

I introduced different techniques for the application of watercolor pencils. The projects where all based on still life subject matter. The participants worked from observation and were given different approaches to present what they saw and capture it in their artwork. We worked on overlapping and drawing three dimensional forms. We also worked on creating compositions that focused on enlarging and repeating elements such as flowers drawn and painted in a repetitive large and small format to form a more abstract and exaggerated composition. We worked in monochromatic color and limited palettes. The participants practice the three “P’s” of watercolor pencil, which are position, point and pressure to apply the paint, along with blending techniques and color mixing. Many of the students participated in last year‘s Watercolor Workshop and they commented on how much they learned and felt they improved. Their improvement was evident. New participants were able to join and there was no need for prior experience in art or watercolor painting.

The culminating activity was the presentation of the participants final pieces of art. Everyone’s work was represented in a white mat board covered in cellophane which they could take home and display or even put into a frame if they chose. I purposely had the mats made to standard size, so that the matted work would fit into a standard store bought frame if someone chose to frame their work for their home. Each participant received a certificate, which was presented by a representative from the city council’s office. There was also a celebration with some light refreshments and dessert. Afterwards, I sat with several of the students and we discussed their work, what they experienced and learned and what they’d like to achieve in the future with their art. This was a very rewarding experience for me and hopefully for all the participants. It was a wonderful and fun culminating experience, and afterwards as mentioned we had a chance to sit and share together. That made it extra special to have a little bit of quiet time and have a discussion.

Painting and Collage Workshop

by Bianca Allen

For this year’s Casa Grant, I had the opportunity to teach students ranging from ages 6 to 10 at Public School 209 – The Clearview Gardens School. This six-week course included 10 instructional days dedicated to making art. The curriculum focused on collage, painting, and sculpture. Each week, the students and I explored different artistic techniques and projects.

Here’s a detailed overview of the activities we undertook during this course:

Week 1: Collage We began with collage art, concentrating on cutting and arranging paper shapes to form pictures. The students learned how to place these shapes together to create cohesive images. By the end of the week, they had created cityscapes using their new skills.

Week 2: Landscape Silhouettes and Tie-Dye Backgrounds In the second week, we created landscape silhouette drawings. The students then placed bleeding tissue paper on top of their drawings to achieve a tie-dye background effect. This combination of drawing and collage techniques resulted in vibrant and visually interesting artworks.

Weeks 3 and 4: Canvas Painting Over the next two weeks, we shifted our focus to painting on canvases. I encouraged the students to choose subjects that interested them personally. This allowed them to express their individuality and creativity through their paintings.

Week 5: Origami In the fifth week, we explored the art of origami. Together, we created origami dogs and butterflies. This activity was not only fun but also helped improve the students’ fine motor skills and patience.

Week 6: Pinch Pot Monsters For our final week, I introduced the students to working with clay. We created pinch pot monsters, a project that involved pinching clay to form small pots and then decorating them with either scary or cute features.

The students added final details by painting their monsters, resulting in a collection of unique and imaginative creations. Participating in this course was incredibly rewarding. I was able to expose the students to a variety of artistic mediums and techniques. Early on, I realized that the students were completing some of the projects more quickly than anticipated. This required me to get creative and come up with additional projects to keep them engaged. As a result, the course became quite versatile, incorporating a wide range of mediums and activities. Reflecting on this experience, I am proud of the curriculum I developed and the way the students responded to it. Each project was designed to build upon the previous one, gradually increasing in complexity and allowing the students to develop their skills over time. The progression from simple collage techniques to more advanced clay sculpting ensured that the students remained challenged and engaged throughout the course. Moreover, the diverse range of projects helped cater to the varying interests and abilities of the students. Some students excelled in painting, while others found a passion for sculpture or collage. By offering a variety of activities, I was able to ensure that each student found something they enjoyed and could excel in.

In conclusion, the CASA Art Program at Public School 209 was a resounding success. The students not only learned new artistic techniques but also developed a deeper appreciation for art. They gained confidence in their abilities and expressed their creativity in ways they had not done before. This experience reaffirmed my passion for teaching art and highlighted the importance of arts education in schools. I am grateful to the Queens Histroical Society for providing me with this opportunity and to the students for their enthusiasm and hard work. I look forward to potentially participating in similar programs in the future and continuing to inspire young artist

Funding provided by the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs