Children invited to create joyful canvases for Phase 2 of MLT’s outdoor art installation
The response has been overwhelming. All canvases have now been reserved. If you wish to be placed on a waitlist please register at the Reserve Art Kit link below. We will let you know if we have a lot for you and when to come pick it up.
• 27 art kits available
• Children must sign-up to pick up kits on Monday, July 20, from 2-4 p.m. at the MLT Firehouse terrace (12 School Street, Marblehead)
• Completed children’s art canvases must be returned by July 27 by 5 p.m.
• Children’s art canvases will be displayed for the month of August
Marblehead Little Theatre extends a special invitation to children and their families to create their own individual canvases for display on the façade of the MLT Firehouse in Phase 2 of MLT’s outdoor art installation. Up to 27 children’s individual canvases will be sewn into banners to replace three of the seven canvases created by artist-in-residence Jeremy Barnett now on display in Phase 1 of the installation.
“Phase 2 for children is part of MLT’s mission of community engagement and arts education and gives young people a chance to use simple shapes and bold colors to express and celebrate their own strong, expressive feelings,” Barnett said.
The Phase 2 take-home kits will be available for distribution on Monday, July 20, from 2 to 4 p.m. on the MLT Firehouse Terrace at 12 School Street. Kits include one pre-measured and primed 24-inch by 36-inch wide piece of canvas, a set of red, yellow, green, blue, brown and white latex paints and instructions with a link to instructional videos on the MLT website.
The young artists must provide their own application tools, “but anything from brooms, paint brushes, to sponges and even a finger-painting technique can be used,” Barnett said. “No experience is necessary. The only requirement is that the young artists have the courage and desire to share their expressions with the public.”
To participate, children and their families must sign-up
to reserve a Phase 2 Kit and commit to completing the project.
Sign Up to Reserve your Art Kit Here
Participation is limited to up to 27 children. Everyone must wear a mask and maintain proper social distancing at all times during pick-up.
“These take-home kits encourage children and their families to create their own works of art,” Barnett said. “The videos will offer some ideas of how children might get started, but the work ultimately will be up to the young artists.”
Completed canvases must be returned to the MLT vestibule by the final and firm due date of Monday, July 27 at 5 p.m., allowing the children one week to complete their canvases and five days for Barnett to piece the banners together.
The individual canvases will be permanently sewn together to create the Phase 2 banners. These will be displayed on the Firehouse façade from August 1 through August 31. The artwork will become the property of Marblehead Little Theatre until the banners find an appropriate permanent home.
“Phase 2 allows children and their families to engage in a communal project while still maintaining distance,” Barnett said. “When assembled and displayed, it is hoped the paintings will revive the communal spirit of the arts in Marblehead and serve as a reminder that we are still a community, even when separated.”
