The Bushnell launches new arts in education program for kids
Artivity created for students aged 7 to 14, registration is open now for spring and summer sessions
The Bushnell ( 166 Capitol Ave, Hartford, CT 06106 ) is thrilled to announce ARTIVITY @ The Bushnell. This exciting, experiential arts program provides Connecticut students the opportunity to learn from some of the most skilled and highly acclaimed teaching artists that our area has to offer.
Artivity, a fun-filled and engaging hands-on Arts program, features instruction in puppetry, sewing, visual artistry, textiles, drumming, jewelry-making, yoga, music-making, and much more!
The upcoming sessions of this innovative new program include a week-long Spring program and a three-week Summer edition.
Swing into Spring is a five-day version of the program which will be offered during April vacation week, April 14 – 18, 2025. Participants will meet daily from 9 AM-12:15 PM.
This summer, three consecutive weeks of Artivity will be offered. The Sailing through Summer Edition will be held Monday-Friday, from July 14 – August 1, 2025. All sessions will be held in the Goldfarb Education Classrooms located in the Bushnell Center for Performing Arts, 166 Capitol Avenue, Downton Hartford. Tuition is $285 per week.
For more information about Artivity and other upcoming programs, call the Education Office at (860) 987-6059 or email us at education@bushnell.org.
Learn more about the numerous Education programs at bushnell.org.
Artivity Workshops
Jewels not Junk! Visual Artistry
Visual arts like never before experienced! Master Teaching Artist, Peggy Gomez-Hixson, will lead a journey that will result in constructing cool and keepsake art pieces from recycled materials. Working both independently and as a team, kids will create repurposed, one-of-a-kind furniture/other pieces that can be used to adorn the lobbies of the theater, and to donate to other public/private establishments in and around Hartford county and surrounding areas.
Sewing ‘n Such
This workshop will teach each student participant to create personally crafted sewing projects including pajama pants! Teaching Artists, Paula Santos and Kathy Zanotti will lead this skill-building, and super-fun, sewing workshop that will include learning varied hand-sewing techniques, and machine sewing instruction. No previous sewing experience is necessary to participate, and everyone will walk away with some pretty cool finished products!
Moves and More: Yoga/Meditation
Soulful, vibrant, and energetic, Teaching Artist and Yogi Master, Ysanne Marshall, will show her workshop participants how to find and maintain their inner peace. This hands-on, fully immersive workshop will teach a series of yoga postures, breathing practices, and mindfulness exercises, that can help with balance, behavior, focus, strength, confidence, and concentration, not to mention, plain old relaxation! Ysanne is also an accomplished vocalist who infuses some singing in with her instruction! Her class is designed for all ages, body types, experienced or “non-experienced” participants are all welcome to partake. (Be sure to comfortably in stretchy clothing).
Innovative Textiles: Capturing Memories & Moments
Highly acclaimed Master Teaching Artist, Ed Johnetta Miller, “Ms. Ed,” will treat her students to learning the secret of making jaw-dropping fabric collages from their own personal/family artifacts (old t-shirts, blankets, etc.). Everyone will leave with a project or two that they’ll be especially proud of! Kids will also have the opportunity to create incredible, one-of-a-kind notecards using creative textile designs and quilting techniques
Puppet Productions
There’s nothing more fun, expressive, and confidence-building than learning to design and create puppets! Master Teaching Artist Dan Butterworth is an internationally recognized marionette creator and artist who has performed and taught as far away as The North Pole. Mr. Dan He and will teach kids the methods and processes of producing both marionette and shadow puppets. Everyone will have the opportunity to help create choreographed “pipe and drape” and shadow box theater shows using their newly acquired puppet masterpieces!
Gems and Jewels: Jewelry Design
Using semiprecious beads and other carefully procured materials from all over the world, kids will delight in not only designing their own jewelry pieces, but they will learn valuable and inspired artistic techniques in creating their own “wearable artwork.” Under the guided direction of “Ms. Jackie”, everyone will leave boasting their custom-designed wears including bracelets and necklaces to either enjoy for themselves, or to gift to someone special!
The Rhythm Factor
Renowned Latin-Jazz musician, Ray Gonzalez, will lead his workshop participants in a fully interactive, hands-on, drumming workshop that will teach everyone to play quite impressively after just a couple of hours! Each participant will be provided with their own drum, and they’ll also learn super cool facts about how this incredible instrument made its way to the U.S. from his native land.
Graphic Novel Greatness and Introductory Animation
Exceptionally talented animator, painter, cartoonist and publisher, Tyrone Motley, will lead The
Bushnell’s Artivity kids on an unforgettable expedition of graphic arts, comics, and animation this Summer! Tryone will provide easy-to-follow, hands-on instruction as kids will learn to create their own graphic novels … developing characters and learning comic sequencing, all while enhancing their storytelling and visual narrative abilities. Introductory exposure to animation will teach students how to give life to their stories, as they come to understand the scientific principles behind the art form. No experience required for this workshop – all are welcome!
MusiQuest: Song Writing
Write your own music! Developed by Edify Technologies, Musi Quest is a beginner composition software for the non-music student. With musician, vocalist, digital learning administrator, Teaching Artist, Julia Tackett, you will write your own song using Musi Quests intuitive tools and come to learn a little bit about what makes for a good song along the way!
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