Multimedia & Book Arts Residencies

A growing number of children's literature provides some of the most precious life memories. Students bring to life some of their favorite themes, characters, images and items from popular children's literary classics. In connection with our web-based YAEP Book Arts project, Patty Greenspoon will be offering 3 residencies based on selected literary classics.

#1 Exploring the Rainforest focuses on science and geography books chosen by teachers, including one of Patty's favorites: The Great Kapok Tree: A tale of the Amazon Rainforest, by Lynne Cherry. In this multimedia residency students explore the rainforest habitat -- climate, plant life and food and create a replica of a rain forest a classroom or school wall featuring a variety of inhabitants, such as frogs, birds, flowers and trees.
Grades K-5 (3 day min.)
Grades 6-8 (4 day min.)

#2 My Painted House, My Friendly Chicken and Me, by Maya Angelou -- This story is about Thandi, an eight-year-old South African girl and the arts and culture of the Ndebele people, known for their brightly colored geometric house wall paintings. Students build and paint miniature Ndebele "village" houses using cardboard, paint and paper mache. They also make Ndebele dolls to live in the houses. Another featured book is, Ndebele: The Art of an African Tribe, by Margaret Courtney-Clarke.
Grades K-8 (4 day minimum)

#3 Library & Reading Corner Art/Furniture Workshop - From Dr. Seuss' hats to Maurice Sendak's monsters and Faith Ringgold's Quilt's students create reading room furniture for the school's library or classroom. Using mixed media to design, build, decorate and paint furniture or sculptures based on selected books, students donate the final pieces to their school. Schools have the option of providing furniture or negotiating cost of furniture with the artist.
Grades K-12 (4 day minimum)

All Book Arts Residencies: Classroom limit: 25
$375 per day & $95 for residency planning session
$2 materials fee per student

Dollmaking Residency: The Art of Doll Making - Dolls have played a universal role in play, religion, work and life celebrations since prehistoric times. Patty explores the roots of world cultures through the fine art of doll making. Doll making workshops can be created for any world culture. For descriptions of these doll making residencies, call (215) 868-8456: South African Ndebele Dolls and Houses; Japanese Kokeshi Dolls; Native American Kachinas; Guatemalan Dolls; Egyptian Tomb Dolls; Mexican Papier Mache Day of the Dead Dolls; Greek Mythological Figures; Friendship Doll exchange; Self portrait Dolls

Grades K -12
Classroom limit: 25
$375 per day & $95 for planning session
$2 materials fee per student