HealingNewtown announces new offerings — a collage class, an Elegant Mother’s Day Tea, a creative storytelling workshop — in addition to reminders this week about its popular Clay Dates works  and  summer art camp.

Visit HealingNewtown.org/schedule to reserve space in any of the programs. All workshops are at Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West Street, Newtown.  Contact Director Valerie Culbertson with any questions at artshealingnewtown@gmail.com.

*Collage Workshop: Share Your Story is set for Sunday, April 27, from 1 to 3 pm.

Bring your inner artist. The one you often suppress.  Leave behind your inner critic. The one that claims that you lack any artistic ability. Bring a developing level of confidence in your work, and an open mind.

All that is necessary is a willingness to get creative. If you can cut or tear, glue or tape, then this is the class for you. All materials will be provided.

The first 90 minutes will be devoted to collage, and then participants (the workshop is for ages 18 and up) will spend the final 30 minutes sharing their work. 

Class size is limited to 15, and registration is strongly suggested.

Suggested donation is $5 at the door.

*Girls and boys ages 6-12 are invited to bring their mothers and grandmothers for a special afternoon full of games, crafts and treats.

American Girl Illustrator Christine Kornacki will be the special guest for an Elegant Mother’s Day Tea Party on Saturday, May 10, from 10 am to 1 pm.

Ms Kornacki will do a presentation showing how she illustrated the books for New Orleans dolls Marie-Grace and Cecile. On view will be several of the paintings, along with sketches and hand sewn dresses she made while illustrating the books.

Children are encouraged to bring their dolls, dressed in their best outfits, and bring their American Girl books for autographs or buy the Marie-Grace and Cecile books at the party ($6, cash only).

Cost is $35 for a family of four. Space is limited, and reservations are required.

*The following weekend HealingNewtown will offer Creative Storytelling. All ages are invited for the Sunday, May 18 program. It will run from 10 am to 1 pm, and will feature working with others to produce fun prose and heartfelt poetry.

Local authors Hamilton Brower and Annette Parker Martin, who joined forces to fashion the motivating book Magnificent Words To Live By, will illustrate how each person adds to the tapestry of storytelling by leading participants in the creation of both a funny story and an inspiring poem.

Creativity and collaboration will be the theme of the day, with each individual walking away with an experiential appreciation of the creative writing process, as well as some original pieces of collaborative art.

There is a suggested donation of $5 per person. Registration is open.

Reminders

*The very popular Clay Dates with Karen Pinto and Rosiland Liljengren will continue in April.

Ages 9-90 are invited to join the potters on Saturday, April 12, from 1-3 pm. Meant for both beginners and experienced potters, participants will work on their own projects while exploring the methods of slab-building. Finished pieces will be picked up at a later date once they have been fired.

The class is limited to 14, and has filled early in the past so online reservations are strongly recommended.

Students under age 16 must be accompanied by a participating adult. All materials and supplies provided.

A requested donation of $5 can be made at the door, and 15 percent of the day’s proceeds will benefit HealingNewtown Summer Art Programs.

*“A Different Artist, A Different Day” will be the theme of the HealingNewtown Summer Art Camp. The camp will be July 7-11 for ages 7-11 and July 14-18 for ages 12-15.  Hours for each session are 10 am to 1 pm, and cost is $50 per child.

Each day will focus on a specific artist and project: Mondays will be dedicated to Mondrian; Tuesdays, Alexander Calder; Wednesdays will host visiting artists, with  American Girl Illustrator Christine Kornacki on July 9 and Braille Book Designer Charlotte Gray on July 16; Thursdays will be devoted to the art of Cezanne; and Fridays, Pollock.