"Worlds Imagined by Children" Virtual Exhibition

This activity allows children to develop fine motor skills, creativity, and
problem-solving while constructing unique sculptures from styrofoam. By
experimenting with shapes, colors, and various ways to attach materials, children express themselves artistically and gain a deeper understanding of the physical world around them.

Notice the level of detail and intentionality in the artists’
creations. How many additional elements have they incorporated into
their sculpture?

This activity provides a multi-sensory experience for children. Young artists develop fine motor skills by manipulating yarn, paint, pipettes, and glue. Through sensory exploration with various textures and colors, they activate their social and emotional learning while exploring cause and effect relationships.

Observe how the children engage with the different materials. What unique and imaginative elements do you see in the work? How could their work reflect their individual experiences?

In this lesson, young artists transform a variety of materials into hanging collages on adhesive paper. This hands-on activity actively develops fine motor skills through the precise manipulation and arrangement of cut elements. The use of cellophane also enables the creation of hanging collages designed to interact with light, adding a dynamic, visual dimension to their artwork.

Notice how the children engage with the variety of materials. In what specific ways is texture and color expressed in their collages?

This activity empowers young artists to investigate shapes and patterns through the process of color transfer. By experimenting with non-traditional materials, including a colorless crayon and bleeding tissue activated with water, children explore color mixing, develop fine motor skills, and build creative expression through self-directed discovery.

Examine one or more drawings closely. What discoveries do you imagine the artist made while creating this artwork?

This printmaking lesson intentionally weaves together several skill-building experiences. Through the use of age- appropriate printing tools, children refine their fine motor skills and hand- eye coordination. Young artists also actively explore color mixing through layering techniques. This process strongly reinforces an understanding of cause and effect, as children directly observe how each applied layer interacts with previous ones to create a print.

How are the children demonstrating curiosity in their color and design choices?

In this lesson, young artists get the hands-on experience of crushing chalk pastels to create their own unique paints. Children also explore color mixing and mark-making techniques with tools like combs and forks on canvas. This process not only builds creativity and appreciation for color but also fine motor skills through crushing, mixing, and painting, all while engaging the senses in a tactile and visual way.

Notice the quality of marks in the paintings. In what ways do the artists experiment with pouring, dragging, and daubing? How do these different applications impact the final artwork?

This activity teaches a range of developmental skills through the hands-on exploration of clay and paint. Through the repeated process of shaping clay with hands and a variety of age-appropriate tools, children actively refine their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. The process of painting these creations builds the ability to recognize color.

Look closely at one or more clay creations. What object do you think the artist was trying to represent? What details helped you come to that conclusion?

This lesson introduces children to a unique way of creating three-
dimensional "puffy paint" using materials like shaving foam. Young
artists explore color mixing by adding liquid watercolors to foam. Applying this textured paint with tools helps develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, while the process of working with the unusual, airy medium provides a stimulating sensory experience.

What do you think was the most exciting part of using this unusual
"puffy paint" for the artist?

Using a single sheet of paper, children practice fine motor skills and build
creativity by inventing a ‘story’ with paint and simple stickers. Young artists also build their problem- solving skills when figuring out the book-folding and storytelling process. Finally, they are also encouraged to practice communication skills by ‘reading’ their storybooks to their peers.

Take a closer look at how each artist is approaching their storybook.
What unique ideas or approaches did the artist bring to their creation?