December 08th, 2016

The winter holidays are upon us this December, and that means school is almost out for the winter break. Over the last two weeks I’ve been wrapping up the BAAY EduArts, kids art classes at many local elementary schools and on the last day we have a fun show-and-tell with kids art projects, art games, and a photo booth for all of us to enjoy.  The kids and their families have such a great time enjoying our last day of art class together at the end of every quarter.  The BAAY EduArts website has been updated to a new look and you can find it here: baay.org/eduarts
If you didn’t know, the 37th Annual Holiday Festival of the Arts with Allied Arts of Whatcom County is happening now through December 24th, where you can find a great selection of artist booths for gifts and more! It’s located at 4145 Meridian Street, Bellingham, WA, which is open 7 days a week, 10am-7pm, and on both Saturday and Sunday afternoons there is live music, with free kid’s art activities! You can find out more on their website: www.alliedarts.org/

In addition, you can look up the two different kinds of art classes that I’m offering over the month of December. One is for kids and the other for adults. The full newsletter is attached in a document, including image examples for you to view via email or you can go to the website blog to read it in its entirety.
Mixed-Media Masks Class for Kids at BAAY (1059 N.State Street, Bellingham, WA), this December 28th-30th, 3:00 – 5:00 pm for ages 10-16 (ages can be flexible). In this winter break art class, we'll imagine that we are in a warm tropical place with palm trees, wild birds singing, and sandy beaches. To inspire our imagination, we’ll learn about the French post-Impressionist artist Paul Gauguin, the location of Tahiti, and a brief history of Tikis. Tiki masks actually have a long, rich history in Polynesian culture. The Tiki masks were originally hand-carved wooden masks that were used to symbolize deities, give protection, and increase luck. We'll create our own colorful and textured papers with paints with a variety of brushes, and different items to make texture, in mixed-media format, then use the painted papers to create our Tiki masks. Contact BAAY to register: 360-306-8531 or online with BAAY.org. Event page details: www.facebook.com/events/1016708711808033/

Paint from the He-ART: Ladies Night Painting Party, is a one-day-workshop on December 17th, from 6:00pm – 9:00pm, that's for adults and a BYOB at Pandora's house in Birch Bay. Register with me via email [email protected] , to get a spot since space is limited with only 10 seats! All supplies are provided & you only need to bring an apron or old shirt to get dirty in, & your imagination! Paint a work of He-ART on a 16” x 24” canvas with acrylics, and all supplies needed for this project are provided. This is an all ladies night, & BYOB painting party that will be hosted at Pandora’s and Tami’s house for our evening of fun! You can have any skill level in art to create a painting, as there will be step-by-step, brushstroke-by-brushstroke BYOB wine (wine, cider, mead, or beer), and painting class experience. If you know the basic shapes, primary colors, and numbers, then you can do it! The Painting Project: Pick one of the following: Aurora Skies with Trees, or Follow the Path of Rainbow Trees. Event page details: www.facebook.com/events/134189280380373/

Thank you for all your enthusiasm for The Arts and keeping it alive within our community!

 ~ Rachel Simpson
~ Artist, Art Teacher, (K-12)