Local artists, arts groups and libraries are brightening the holiday season by offering virtual activities designed to give families more togetherness time.
ArtsWestchester and its partners are presenting dozens of performances, events and demonstrations online through the end of the month. One program, the ArtsMobile, publishes a new pre-recorded art-making activity featuring a professional teaching artist every Wednesday.
“The goal is to help families release stress amid remote learning and travel restrictions,” said Janet Langsam, ArtsWestchester’s CEO. “Art making—or any kind of participatory family activity—can help parents and children cope with the isolation of social distancing. With virtual programs, even if you miss the time it was webcast, they are still available for enjoyment because they are posted online.”
The full library of ArtsMobile’s art making workshops are posted on ArtsWestchester’ YouTube page.
ArtsWestchester’s Teen Tuesdays & Thursdays also offer free art-making online activities for children 12 to 16 years old. Teens can learn, participate and share their work using the hashtag #AWTeenTuesdays. These virtual art workshops are available on ArtsWestchester’s web page or via their YouTube channel.
Upcoming ArtsWestchester holiday arts programs include:
Dec. 9: Doodling
Join artist Donna Mikkelsen from 4:00–4:45 pm for a workshop teaching how to focus and use both hands to draw simultaneously and symmetrically. The workshop is for youth 7-12 years old and no drawing experience is necessary to participate. To register email Jessica Cioffoletti at jcioffoletti@artswestchester.org. Zoom log-in info will be sent upon registration.
Dec. 15: Holiday Card Making
Richela Fabian will lead a 45-minute Zoom program from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. The artist will guide participants in a card-making session using ordinary materials found around the home. The workshop is for youth 7-12 years old and no drawing experience is necessary to participate. To register email Jessica Cioffoletti at jcioffoletti@artswestchester.org. Zoom log-in info will be sent to upon registration.
Dec. 22: Body Art Lettering
In this Teen Tuesdays program, Evan Bishop and Katori Walker paint inspirational and celebratory words on hands and arms. The pre-recorded program will be posted Dec. 22 on the Teen Tuesdays website and no registration is required.
Dec. 22: Story Time
The White Plains Public Library’s Trove staff will present a story time from 11 a.m. to 11:35 a.m. for children from 2 to 6 years old on Zoom. To join, click the Zoom link, or alternatively, enter the following ID into Zoom: 897 5818 5711.
Dec. 23: Gingerbread Cookies
Get the whole family involved in the kitchen from 4 to 5 p.m. The Rye Free Reading Room has posted a gingerbread cookie recipe on its website so that families can gather and prepare a holiday favorite. Parents must fill out an online registration form.
Dec. 23: Paper Quilting
The ArtsMobile presents a paper arts activity with Vicky Youngman. Participants will create a fun holiday gift for a friend or family member. The program will be posted Dec. 23 on the ArtsMobile’s website and no registration is required.
Dec. 28: Belly Dancing
The Yonkers Public Library’s Crestwood Branch will host a belly dancing workshop from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Zoom for adults and older children. All skill levels are welcome. Join the Zoom Meeting at https://zoom.us/j/92119894504 Meeting ID: 921 1989 4504
Dec. 28: Paper Arts
Teen Tuesdays presents a recycling program with Dara Kane, who will lead participants in a fun paper art activity using leftover holiday wrapping paper and envelopes. The program will be posted Dec. 28 on the Teen Tuesdays website and no registration is required.
Dec. 29: Collage Creations
The ArtsMobile presents a recycling program with Michael Albert, who will demonstrate how to make a collage from recycled boxes. The program will be posted Dec. 29 on the ArtsMobile’s website and no registration is required.
Visit ArtsWestchester.org for more information.
