How can drawings – like photographs – capture a moment in time? Artists will discuss Ruth Asawa, a renowned sculptor who found salvation in the arts as a child and whose art continues to influence others on a global scale. Taking inspiration from Asawa’s drawings of everyday life, as well as artworks by Lynette Yiadom-Boakye and Janet Sobel, children will create gesture drawings of other students in the class, thinking about how lines and shapes can depict movement. Artists can opt to keep their drawings black or white or add color for specific features or designs. They will even be encouraged to swap drawings with their muse at the end of the session!
About Open Studio
Taking place Mondays and Thursdays, Open Studio at Pier 57 invites children to explore hands-on projects across a wide range of artistic disciplines.
Specially designed for children on the Autism Spectrum but welcoming to all, each Inclusives session is multisensory focused. Participants will explore art materials (such as clay, paper, or textiles) at their own pace alongside movement breaks and ample time for storytelling and social interaction.
What To Expect
Led by CMA Artist Instructors Emma Waldman and JT Baldassarre, each session introduces children to the elements and principles of art while surveying artists across generations.
The program’s curriculum is rooted in accessible artmaking practices and Children’s Museum of the Arts’ pedagogy of Look, Make, Share. Take a peek at one of our virtual Inclusives lessons, catered to children with Autism, that families can try at home: here!
While caregivers are welcome to stay with their children, families are encouraged to enjoy the extraordinary setting of Pier 57 in the adjacent Family Living Room for the duration of the session.
Image Credit: Ruth Asawa Untitled (FF.434, Aiko Lanier Blowing Up Balloon), c. 1955
Children's Museum of the Arts' Open Studio at Pier 57 is generously supported by the Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation, Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation, Ruth Foundation for the Arts, William Talbott Hillman Foundation, First Republic Bank, The LeRoy Neiman and Janet Byrne Neiman Foundation, Milton and Sally Avery Arts Foundation, Google Community Grants Fund, Amazon, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Harriet Ames Charitable Trust, The Cowles Charitable Trust, Hammitt, and the Viniar Family Foundation.