Kidz BMAFun!

Keep their little minds learning and growing this summer!!

With all the many fun events and activities that the Birmingham Art Museum, your children will want to go back for more!

Be sure to ask for the scavenger hunt checklist for the kiddos to search the galleries for special art that tells a story!

The wonderful and super kid friendly staff enhances every visit so that parent and child get the very most from this cultural and educational experience.

Bart's Art Cart FREE activity this week was African Masks!

The kids decorated the mask with markers, paint, string, beads and all kinds of other goodies to create a unique piece of art that they can take home to remember the day!
(Entry to the museum is FREE... donations are appreciated)

After creating their own mask we went to the African Gallery to see the original African Mask that is as tall as they are!

Amazing and beautiful detail!!
(remember that all art is protected... cameras are allowed but no photos can be published publicaly)

So much fun and exploration... We can't wait to go again!

Becca Bell

DIY Paint Party

There are only 3 words that can describe the time we had... fun, fun, FUN!!

My good friend Shannon hosted and taught the class, and with her creativity and excellent direction everyone had a piece of art to take home!

Shannon encouraged everyone to put their own flare into each painting... something that can accent and be proudly mounted in a selected room in their home.

There were three selections to choose from and each tweaked their color palette to suit their own tastes. The final product was a beautiful and colorful mosaic around the room!

And of course the Food & Beverages are a must!

Beautiful room of MASTERPEICES!!

Fun, Fun, FUN!!

To plan your own "Paint Party" follow these SIX simple steps:

1. Choose a friends house with a room that lends itself open for 2-3 collapsible tables and potentially a few spills...it'll happen. (I recommend plastic cloths for the floor... you can get them cheap at the dollar tree!)

2. Choose one or two painting options for your friends; get ideas and inspiration online or from your own artsy photos.

3. Send out a fun artsy Evite with date, time, location, and ask your guests to RSVP with which painting they will paint so that you can plan for supplies. Also this is BYOB (Bring Your Own Beverage) and it is fun to have each bring their favorite easy to make yummy dish!

4. Purchase supplies at your local Hobby Lobby which frequently has excellent discounts. Look for a week that canvases and paints are 30%-50% off. This is a great way to make a fun event affordable for you and your friends.

5. Practice the painting(s) prior to your guests arrival so they can see a finished product and you can easily explain step by step how to mix the paint and a technique for application.

6. REMEMBER!! The final and most important ingredient is to HAVE FUN!! Few of us are Van Gogh's or Monet's but we all have the ability to make a colorful masterpiece that is a memory of a priceless time with our friends!

Supplies you need:
1. Collapsible tables
2. Chairs (some guests prefer to stand)
3. Canvases (11x16 is a good size)
4. Brushes (typically one large, one medium, one small for each guest)
5. Paint (Acrylic)
6. Paper plates (ideal for paint palette)
*any unopened paint or excess supplies can be easily returned
**divide the total cost of used supplies amongst your guest for each persons fee... should be right around $15/ea.

Becca Bell