Yes, fall is approaching, and that means parents are looking for new activities and programs for fall.
No doubt you’ve already signed the kids up for a variety of sports, arts and other after-school activities, but what about things you can do together as a family? Here are five ideas for all the creatively inclined kids and grown-ups out there:
IN THE BAG
The Burnaby Art Gallery offers this regular series of family studio drop-ins, once a month on Sunday afternoons between 1 and 4 p.m. Each month features a different project connected to the ongoing gallery exhibitions, so families can check out the work on display and then get into the gallery for a family-friendly project of their own.
This fall, in connection with Saints, Sinners and Souvenirs: Italian Masterworks on Paper (running Sept. 13 to Nov. 17), families can drop in for one of three sessions:
Sept. 15: Drawing From History
Oct. 20: Printing the Present
Nov. 17: Collecting Memories
The gallery is at 6344 Deer Lake Ave. See www.burnabyartgallery.ca or call 604-297-4422 for information.
FAMILY ART CLASSES
The City of Burnaby offers extensive arts and cultural programming, including some art courses designed especially for families so kids and parents can play, create and learn together.
There’s a Family Artworks course at the Shadbolt Centre (for kids aged five and up, with adults) on Saturdays starting Sept. 21.
For younger children, there’s A is for Art, F is for Family, for two-and-a-half- to four-year-olds and their grown-ups, which will give everyone a chance to try out painting, drawing, clay and collage. It’s on Sundays at Edmonds Community Centre starting Sept. 22, Tuesdays at Edmonds starting Oct. 1, and Fridays at Bonsor Recreation Complex starting Oct. 18.
And, for the tiniest tots, there’s Parent & Tot: Adventures in Art, for kids aged 18 months to two years. It’s on at Edmonds on Tuesdays starting Oct. 1.
Pick up a fall Leisure Guide for full details or register online at www.burnaby.ca/webreg.
ReVISION: THE ART OF RECYCLING
ReVision: the art of recycling is an upcoming exhibition at Deer Lake Gallery, featuring the work of a group of artists who are making their art out of a variety of “upcycled” waste and discarded materials. Take the kids to the opening reception on Saturday, Sept. 21 between noon and 4, or pop in to the gallery throughout its run until Saturday, Oct. 26.
Along the way, there are a series of special events – including an Oct. 6 workshop* by Lori Goldberg on making art from waste plastics, an Oct. 19 “Found Sound” drum circle featuring found objects, and an Oct. 20 workshop on making “Eco-Trashion.” A special closing event on Oct. 26 will feature an Eco-Trashion show and “Bad Art” sale.
Deer Lake Gallery is at 6584 Deer Lake Ave. See www.burnabyartscouncil.org or call 604-298-7322 for information.
MAKE MUSIC TOGETHER
Here’s another fun offering from the City of Burnaby, offered at both Bonsor Recreation Complex and Edmonds Community Centre.
Family Music and Song is designed for families with small people aged one to five. A class synopsis notes that parents and kids get to interact together through music and play; young musicians develop their voices, listening skills and musicality.
It’s on at Bonsor on Wednesdays starting Oct. 2, and at Edmonds on Saturdays starting Sept. 28.
Pick up a fall Leisure Guide for full details or register online at www.burnaby.ca/webreg.
GET YOUR HANDS ON CLAY
Parents and children (aged six to 15) are invited to take part in a Family Hand-Building With Clay course at Bonsor, running six Sundays starting Oct. 20. You can make gifts, garden art, plates and bowls in an introductory pottery course. Projects are fired in the kiln and glazed with bright colours.
There’s also a special three-session Christmas Clay for Families course at Willingdon Community Centre on Friday evenings starting Nov. 29. Parents can work together with their child (aged four and up) to create projects with a special holiday theme – they’ll be fired in the kiln and ready to paint on the third week.
For more on these programs, check out the fall edition of the Leisure Guide or register at www.burnaby.ca/webreg.
Got another creative idea for kids and families this fall? Send suggestions to Julie, jmaclellan@burnabynow.com.
(NOTE: Date of workshop has been changed. It was originally announced as Oct. 5.)
