Tag Archives: Healing Sandy Hook through the arts

Feb25

S.H.A.C.K. Kicks Off FREE TRIAL WEEK With Messy Mondays

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S.H.A.C.K. Kicks Off FREE TRIAL WEEK With Messy Mondays
messy mondays
Kids were clapping, paint was splattering and bodies were shakin’, at today’s Messy Mondays free trial class at the S.H.A.C.K., Sandy Hook Arts Center for Kids. Children from 15 months to 4 years enjoyed getting their hands, and their faces, hair, necks and clothes dirty, while creating mini masterpieces at the class geared toward toddlers and preschoolers.
Each week children will enjoy painting with various textures. Today was glitter so children learned the difference between rough and smooth as they felt the textures while they painted. Each class children will explore various textures and mediums such as clay, gloop, sand and much more. Children’s music is played in the background while kids create which adds to the fun.
If you missed today’s free class don’t worry! We have a whole week lined up for you to meet our teachers and experience an art, music or theatre class at the S.H.A.C.K. the week’s schedule is as follows:
TUESDAY 2/26 - 

Sewing and Textiles age 6 and up
Learn how to sew a toy, a bag, a pillow and other creative textile projects that will teach you the basics of sewing, knitting and other crafts! Once you have mastered these techniques, you can create ideas of their own with us to help you.

Class runs from 4:30-5:30 & is taught by Emma Craig,experienced art teacher, face painter, and all around cool chick who is fantastic with children!

Collage and Paper Sculpture is for ages 5 and up and will be offered from 4:30-5:30 and 5:30-6:30pm on Tuesday.
Each week we’ll use paint, printing and found paper to make collages and paper sculptures. We will have fun making imaginative puppets, mobiles and other amazing artifacts from paper. We will even learn to make paper itself! Be prepared to use your imagination and learn to be resourceful in creating really cool stuff for play and display!

Class is from 5:30-6:30pm & taught by the lovely Emma Craig who is all of the things I mentioned above AND funny and cheerful to boot! And she’s from “across the pond,” Birmingham England so the kiddos will LOVE her accent! :)

WEDNESDAY 2/27 - 
Teens & Tweens Theatre & Improv is for 5th-12th Graders from 6-7:30pm  with Theresa Talluto, a professional and experienced theatre instructor who lives and teaches in Newtown.A native New Yorker, Theresa performed both on and off Broadway, as well as nationally, prior to combining her love of Theatre with her love of teaching children. Her directorial credits include full scale musicals (West Side Story, Grease, Oliver! and more) as well as Youth Theatre productions which have been seen in both New York City and London, where she enjoyed extensive, concentrated study of Educational Theatre and Youth Theatre practices.

THURSDAY 2/28 - 

Recycled Art Age 5 and up
Each week we’ll use paint,  paper and recycled materials to make 3-D recycled art projects.  We will have fun making imaginative sculptures and other projects from found objects. Be prepared to use your imagination and learn to create awesome art from everyday objects! Class is taught by Emma & runs from 4:30-5:30pm
Drawing for cartooning and animating. Age 9 and up
Budding cartoonists step this way and learn the fundementals of drawing techiniques for figures, animals, expressions, perspective and effects. Design your own characters, cartoons and improve your drawing skills at the same time. Class is taught by Emma & runs from 5:30-6:30pm

FRIDAY 3/1 -

Shake, move & make music at this interactive class from 10:00-11:00am. Cultural Music & Movement for Toddlers & Preschoolers is geared towards children ages 18 months up through age 5-years-old, and their caregivers. Children will hear a folklore tale told by puppets in the beginning of the class to introduce the country of the week and then they will explore moving and making music from around the world! Trial class will be held Friday from 10-11am. See Class Schedule for weekly class times for this and our other classes.
We will also offer cartooning and drawing for children and teens, “Mastering the Masters” for preschoolers and much more. Photography classes will be held first as a workshop and then as a class– stay tuned for more information.
For a class schedule, click here.
To read teacher bios, click here.If you would like more information on these or any other classes, please
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Contact Information:
203-304-9555  sandyhookartscenter@gmail.com
Feb9

Gearing Up for our Grand Opening Saturday!

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Gearing Up for our Grand Opening Saturday!

hearts door

Today, we were supposed to have our Grand Opening Valentine’s Event, but due to Storm Nemo we had to postpone until next Saturday, Feb. 16th from 1:00-8:00p.m. Since (sort of) opening our doors last Sunday at our soft opening, we have been so grateful for the outpouring of love and support for The S.H.A.C.K. in our community and beyond.

Thursday we received hundreds of hearts from all over the country, courtesy of Hearts to Newtown, just in time for our Valentine’s Day Grand Opening event. Volunteers have also come out of the woodwork to offer help for our non-profit children’s arts center.

Newtown High School juniors Sarah Clements and Lindsay Fiori are the founders of NHS’s Creative Cultural Arts Council, a group of student artists striving to enhance recognition of student artists. Sarah contacted Wendy Mitchell, founder of The S.H.A.C.K., and offered ongoing support by way of volunteers, fundraising and marketing via video projects. Sarah said: “You are making such a difference and we can’t wait to help!”

Twelve-year-old Fraser Woods student Julia DiMartino contacted the S.H.A.C.K. after organizing an art drive as part of her community service Bat Mitzvah project. Julia collected art supplies, gift cards and materials for children to use at The S.H.A.C.K. She said she wanted to make an impact in the community. Julia said she wanted to help–

“Because the S.H.A.C.K. really stood out for me as being different. I want to help people and make an impact on the community. I want to support it so that it will be successful and help people.”
The S.H.A.C.K. has also received help from Fun Kuts for the Whole Family, Animal Assisted Therapy, Servpro of Newtown, Bob’s Discount Furniture,  and countless volunteers who have helped staff our center for our free community events. We are so grateful for the support. While February’s events are “free,” a suggested donation will be collected at the door at Saturday’s event to help cover overhead costs for our center.
For our Grand Opening this Saturday, Feb. 16th, we have a FABULOUS line-up of talented local musicians and artists planned and the schedule will run as follows:
1:30-2:15pm Sing & Sign with Ms. Janine (children’s entertainment)
2:30-4:00pm Family Ukulele Workshop with Michel Rae Driscoll
4-4:30pm Black Light Valentine’s Puppet Show $5 suggested donation
5-5:30pm Black Light Valentine’s Puppet Show $5 suggested donation
6-8:00pm The Knox Sisters & Kevin Luis, live acoustic music $7 suggested donation (cabaret style seating, which means B.Y.O. W. whatever you wish!)

Please R.S.V.P. to our Grand Opening event as space is limited by emailing your name, number of people attending and TIME SLOT (very important) to sandyhookartscenter@gmail.com or call 203-501-7424 for more information.  

Feb2

Announcing Our Free Music & Pet Therapy Sessions

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Announcing Our Free Music & Pet Therapy Sessions

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Beginning February 20th and running through March 25, The S.H.A.C.K. will host a series of free therapy sessions for local families in music and pet therapy provided by our partners, Animal Assisted Therapy Services, Inc. (AATS).

On Mondays beginning on Monday, March 4th, Liz Ball will lead a group session with AATS’s trained therapy dogs. Liz will read and interact with the children and the dogs in a welcoming, calm atmosphere designed to help children cope after trauma. The  free 4-week session is open to children in grades K-4.

Classes will be held from  4:30-5:30 on the following dates:

  • March 4th, 11th 18th 25th

On Wednesdays beginning  on Wednesday, February 20, Dr. Rebecca Cohen will offer free private one-hour sessions with a therapy dog. This session is open to children and adults. Appointments will be taken for one-hour sessions from 4:00-7:00 p.m. from Feb. 20 through March 13.

Our music therapist Lydia Smith will offer free music therapy classes for children in grades K-4 – ***day & time will be announced shortly***. This session runs from Feb. 21- March 14.

All classes will be held at The S.H.A.C.K., 100 Church Hill Rd., Suite #104 and all classes require registration. Please call or email to sign up. Space is limited.

sandyhookartscenter@gmail.com

203-501-7424

*Please note: We will also be adding some art therapy sessions which will be announced at a later date.

Jan22

First Free Community Event Was a Furry, Fun-Filled Success!

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Thank you all who came out to our first free community event, Play and Paint for Peace. Hosted by Marci Benitez, owner of Family Fun Kuts, with a second event held at The S.H.A.C.K.’s new studio, the two locations saw close to 200 visitors in one day!

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Children enjoyed painting peace signs at Fun Kuts, getting their faces painted by one of a dozen volunteers and petting one of the five therpay dogs, 3 of which were provided by our partners Animal Assisted Therapy Services (AATS).

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The highlight of the day for all who participated was the healing drum circles. Led by certified music therapist  Lydia Smith, children and families relaxed let loose and brought out their inner joy through their music. There was also a black light puppet show where children learned how to make the world a better place by being kind to each other.

Below is a news clip from our event that was posted on Fox News CT Monday night:

http://landing.newsinc.com/shared/video.html?freewheel=91060&sitesection=WTIC_hom_non_fro&VID=24254267

We officially open our doors on Friday February 1st and will have some “Pop-In” art events opening weekend. Our next puppet show will be a black light glow-in-the-dark Valentine’s Day show and will be held the evening of Saturday, February 9th. More details are coming soon on our events page. Class registrations will also be posted very soon as we finalize details with our teachers and volunteers. We will host weekly free art/music/pet therapy for all Sandy Hook and Newtown families affected by the tragedy. We will also offer low cost classes in art, music and children’s theatre.
Thank you so very much to Marci Benitez and Family Fun Kuts for hosting us and for all of our amazing volunteers for helping us create such a fun family event. There will be many more events coming very soon!
To make a tax deductible donation to The S.H.A.C.K., please make your check payable to “Animal Assisted Therapy/Sandy Hook Fund” and mail to:
The S.H.A.C.K.
100 Church Hill Road
Suite #104
Sandy Hook, CT. 06482
Like us on Facebook!
sandyhookartscenter@gmail.com
Jan9

Local Businesses Rally ‘Round The S.H.A.C.K.

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Local Businesses Rally ‘Round The S.H.A.C.K.

mom and pop

For a small community like Sandy Hook, it is important to work together with the town, local retailers and the community to bring something special, like our community arts center, into town. We are happy to say we have done just that. On Tuesday, January 8th we attended the monthly meeting of a local business group, S.H.O.P., which stands for “Sandy Hook Organization for Prosperity.” We were very warmly received and established some wonderful connections with local business owners who are supportive of our endeavour.

At the meeting first selectman Pat Llodra announced the state has given Newtown a $500,000 grant to help local businesses that were impacted by the tragedy.  Betsy Paynter, a member of the Economic Development Committee, explained the importance of shopping local and shared some ideas on upcoming events that are being planned to benefit the Sandy Hook shopping district. President of S.H.O.P. Michael Burton spoke about how the streetscape project will impact the community.

The “Shop Local” and “support each other’s businesses” sentiments were heard loud and clear and many shop owners were receptive to the new ideas that were presented.

One business, Family Fun Kuts for Kids, has agreed to allow The S.H.A.C.K. to host a “Pop-Up Art” event at her shop. More details will be announced shortly.

Other local businesses have agreed to serve as collection centers for The S.H.A.C.K. for art supply donations.

Those businesses are as follows:

Local Drop-Off Collection Centers:

Monroe: Sippin Fuel, 234 Main Street, Monroe.

Bethel: Molten Java, 213 Greenwood Ave., Bethel.

Brookfield: Servpro of Newtown & Litchfield, 3 Production Drive, Suite #4, Brookfield

New Fairfield: Village Hardware, 1 Brush Hill Road, New Fairfield

Ridgefield: Hamlet Hub (a.k.a. Talk of the Town) Online News, 37 Danbury Rd, Suite 202, Ridgefield

Newtown: TBA soon!

Danbury: TBA soon!

Our “Wish List” for donations is as follows:

kid’s size smocks
carpet squares
drop cloths
tiles for mosaics
mosaic grout
mosaic tools
easles
posterboard
butcher paper rolls (white, colored)
air-dry clay
paintbrushes
exacto knives 
adult sized scissors
kids sized scissors

paper
tissue paper for collages
newspapers for paper maiche
glue……. lots & lots of glue!!!!!

paint your own pottery supplies & glaze

For more information “About Us,” please click here, or email sandyhookartscenter@gmail.com.

You may also call 203-501-7424.

Like us on Facebook by clicking here.