In 1990, Socrates Sculpture Park founded the Education Program, offering a variety of innovative classes and activities for children. The goal of the Park's Education Program is to provide an exciting and stimulating curriculum that teaches practical skills for building confidence and a sense of personal achievement. The unique setting of Socrates Sculpture Park provides children with the opportunity to explore their creative talents in an outdoor setting.
Capoeira in the Park (Saturdays, May 12 – September 29, 2007)
Tai Chi in the Park (Sundays, May 13 – September 30, 2007)
Yoga in the Park (Saturdays, May 12 - September 29, 2007)
Saturday Sculpture Workshops (Saturdays, May 12 - September 29, 2007)
Summer Outdoor Artmaking Workshops (July 5 - August 18, 2006)
For more information about these programs, please contact Tara Sansone, Director of Education and Community Relations at 718-956-1819, ext. 10.
Capoeira
in the Park
Saturdays, May 12 - September 29, 2007, 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
FREE
Socrates is pleased to introduce a third outdoor exercise class into its
weekly repertoire. Capoeira is a lively martial art that originated in
Brazil over 450 years ago. Self-defense techniques are concealed by graceful
dance moves and spectacular acrobatics set to music. Taught by Professor
Abará.
Tai Chi in the Park
Sundays, May 13 – September 30, 2007, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
FREE
Socrates hosts free Tai Chi classes in the Park led by Aaron Kirtz, a member of the Taoist Tai Chi Society. Participants will have the opportunity to relax and exercise among the changing exhibitions of contemporary outdoor sculpture. Classes are designed for all experience levels. Participants should wear comfortable clothing.
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Yoga in the Park
Saturdays, May 12 - September 29, 2007, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
FREE
Socrates offers free Kripalu Yoga, a system of Hatha Yoga that integrates body postures, breathing techniques, relaxation and meditation. Taught by Monique Schubert, participants are encouraged to integrate their yoga practices with this very special waterfront environment of nature and art. Suitable for all experience levels. Participants should bring a mat or towel.
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Saturday Sculpture Workshops
Saturdays, May 12 - September 29, 2007, 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
FREE
The workshops are offered in the education area at Socrates Sculpture Park on a drop in basis. Participants work with a new artist each week, exploring diverse and innovative art mediums.
May 12
Bug Art with Martine Kaczynski
From snakes to spiders, butterflies and beyond, children create badges and brooches inspired by insects and bugs found in the Park using materials such as glitter, wire, paper and buttons.
May 19
Lunch Animals with Martine Kaczynski
Kids make the animal masks of their dreams out of simple lunch bags. Decorate your personal animal mask with a combination of materials such as yarn, glitter, sand or fur!
May 26
Rock, Paper, Scissors with McKendree Key
Using recycled and natural materials, participants learn the basics of papermaking to create beautiful handmade paper.
June 2
Socrates' Shadowbox Theater with McKendree Key
Learn about light and shadows by creating shadow puppets. Create your own puppet and put it on stage in Socrates' very own shadowbox theater.
June 9
Heads Up with Catarina Leitao
Children develop their millinery skills by creating fantastical, two-dimensional hat sculptures and wearing them in the Park.
June 16
Animal Farm with Catarina Leitao
Pig, chicken or cow? You decide as you make your own 2-D animal puppet that moves. Make more than one to create your own farm.
June 23
Finders Keepers with Rachael Champion
Young treasure hunters congregate and make sculpture using objects found in the Socrates Sculpture Park treasure chest.
June 30
The Body Machine with Rachael Champion
Machines are often modeled after the mechanics of our own bodies. Participants explore the relationship our bodies have to machines through drawing, painting and sculpture.
July 7
To the Rescue! with Shaun Leonardo
Socrates’ resident superhero Shaun "El C" Leonardo needs your help! Using fabric, paint and recycled materials, participants construct their own superhero costume complete with a discussion on special powers and how to be a good hero.
July 14
Pop-Up Sculpture Park with Jane Benson
Children and their families work together to create a pop-up book of the sculptures in the Park.
July 21
Pom-Pom Creatures with Jane Benson
Using your imagination, wool, and wool and more wool, participants make crazy pom-pom creatures.
July 28
Do the Hustle with Shaun Leonardo
Using colored paper and other materials children construct large party decorations to set the stage and transform the workshop area into a disco dance party!
August 4
Let's Rock with Cameron Gainer
Using a variety of materials like aluminum foil, paper and paint, future geologists replicate stones, rocks and boulders.
August 11
Drawing With Light with Cameron Gainer
Using transparency film, pens, paint, found objects and photosensitive paper, kids draw, trace and design their very own photogram drawings.
August 18
Xylophone Jam with FreeStyle Arts Association
Visitors are guided through the creation of their own xylophone made with materials such as cans, tile, wood, plastic, and many other found objects big and small. The creations can be played in an impromptu xylophone concert in the Park.
August 25
Giant Tinkertoys with FreeStyle Arts Association
Future engineers learn how to build large, sturdy sculptures using metal pipes, pipe joints and colored duct tape. The sculptures are then placed together to create a Tinkertoy playground.
September 1
Hook Hap.pen.ing- Part 1 with Heather Hart
-n. [fluxus kro-shay. from hap, chance; see hap.]
1. improvisational crochet, a performance, event or situation meant to be considered art. Children learn to make a crocheted cozy for an object of their choosing.
September 8
Hook Hap.pen.ing- Part 2 with Heather Hart
-n. [fluxus kro-shay. from hap, chance; see hap.]
2. Come back and finish the project you started or make a new cozy as a gift for your friend or family member.
September 15
Underground Railroad Quilting Project with Sol Sax
Students learn about the Underground Railroad and how hidden messages and symbols were used in quilting as a form of communication. Parents and children create their own pattern and create a fabric collage of their quilt panel.
September 22
Fossiliferous Site: Socrates with Sol Sax
Using clay, spoons, forks and other tools, students create a mold for a plaster fossil sculpture to paint and decorate.
September 29
13 Little Fears with Elizabeth Demaray and Celeste Whitehead
Participants are asked to create drawings of things they find scary. The drawings are then scanned, digitally printed and displayed for viewing over the workshop day.
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Summer Outdoor Artmaking Workshops (For groups only)
M-F, July 9 - August 17, 2007
FREE
Socrates Sculpture Park's free Summer Outdoor Artmaking Workshops offer diverse groups of children from neighborhood youth agencies, community groups, summer schools and day camps the opportunity to participate in hands-on activities inspired by exhibitions at Socrates Sculpture Park. Taught in the Park by exhibiting artists, the children learn fundamental and contemporary artmaking techniques.
Artists run two sessions of their Outdoor Artmaking Workshop: one from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm and the second from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Groups can sign up for a single workshop or a combination of weekly workshops.
Registration and scheduling will be on a first come, first served basis. Call Tara Sansone, Director of Education and Community Relations, to register your group: 718 956.1819 ext. 10.
July 9-13
A Tree Grows in LIC with Mc Kendree Key
Using the trees in the Park as a source of inspiration, participants learn how to make relief drawings by carving and painting their favorite tree into a drywall panel. Each panel will be turned into a beautiful piece of 3-D sculpture.
July 16- 20
Fantasy Flags with Martine Kaczynski
Young flag designers hone their skills in articulating their personal message to the world. Participants will get a brief introduction to the history and meaning of colors used in flag design and then create their own fantasy flag.
July 23-27
Giant Tiny Sculptures with Free Style Arts Association
Young architects work on building small models of a giant sculpture they imagine. Using mixed materials like wood blocks, glue and paper, students craft their sculpture within a diorama of a tiny exhibition space complete with tiny life like people.
July 30- August 3
Second Hand Prints with Chakaia Booker
Using inner tire tubes and other unique found objects, students learn and apply printmaking technique's to create colorful, one of a kind, abstract designs.
August 6-10
Custom Kite Collective with Cameron Gainer
Future kite makers unite in this workshop designed to teach students about historic and contemporary kite designs. The new experts will then test their skills as they create a flying flock of art in the Park.
August 13-17
I Spy With My Periscope Eye with Jane Benson
Kids grow six inches or more after building and wearing their very own periscope hats. Children learn a lesson on light reflection and travel while they take the necessary steps to build their periscopes.
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Tour Programs
Artist-led tours of Socrates Sculpture Park focus on the accessibility of contemporary sculpture while contextualizing the ideas behind viewing art in an outdoor setting. The artists conduct the tours through open discussions with the group. Topics include: the history of the Park, information about the current exhibitions and creating artwork in a public space. Available year round (pre-registration required). Please call for rates.
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Private
Workshops
Conducted in the Park or in schools, these workshops are customized to
meet the needs and interests of groups ranging from special needs to younger
children and adults. Workshop themes include basic introduction to sculpture
making, horticultural and environmental issues in art making. Many of
the workshops offered are taught by exhibiting artists and are inspired
by the current art on view. Please call for rates.
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