Mural Art Camp Day 2

The second day of Mural Art Camp was dedicated to painting our mural and getting crafty! As kids arrived to the LYN House they had a snack and we reviewed the rules for the week. One group went out to paint the mural while the other stayed inside to do a craft and devotion. Inside the kids continued creating houses, vegetables and cityscape for their mobile. Our theme for the day was Jeremiah 29:7 "Plant gardens and eat what they produce." Afterwards they each got to create their very own mosaic. These mosaics were very unique because they were put together with beans and spices from Pogue’s Run Grocer. Outside kids continued to paint the four sections of the wall as well as touch up sections from the day before. They also got to see our muralist mix paints to form new colors for the wall. The mural is coming along wonderfully! Time to switch activities. At the end of the day each student got to finish up their mosaic as well as make an invitation for our Mural Reveal Party that is this Friday at 3:30. This special event is for family and friends of the artists who would like to see the first reveal of our mural in the community garden. The kids are very excited to show off their hard work and creative skills to everyone!  

Photography and Art Show!

Our students who were part of the express yourself camp are putting on an art show on August 3 at 6 PM! Come out and see our artists amazing, eye catching photos and artwork.

The show will be at Made for Each Other (2807 E. 10th St).The art show begins at 6:00 PM and will end at 8:00 PM. Hope to see you there!

Mural Art Camp Day 1

Yesterday we kicked off our first day of Mural Art Camp! The week long project is to paint a mural on a wall in our community garden. The mural has four sections each based off of a different verse in Jeremiah talking about living in community. Before we began painting the mural we introduced the kids to color theory. We discussed what primary colors are and how to create secondary colors. To practice their painting skills each student got to paint their own picture on a canvas. The kids were then split into two groups. One group first headed out to work on the mural in the garden while the other began creating a mobile and had a devotion. Inside we talked about Jeremiah 29:5 “Build houses and settle down”. We discussed what it meant to be a good neighbor and how we can be part of our community. The kids created houses for their mobile as well as vegetables and fruits. The groups switched so everyone got to be part of the mural experience. Our first day was filled with excitement! The kids learned how to paint, how to mix colors to create new ones, got a little messy, and were reminded to always be a loving neighbor to others.    

Kid's Kitchen Soup!

On Monday, June 9 our chefs created two tasty, vegetable soups in Kids Kitchen. Our special guest was Kathy who works at our very own Pogue’s Run. The kids were split into two groups. One group stayed at the LYN House while the other group headed to First Free Methodist Church to bake some rolls. At the LYN House kids listened to Kathy explain the different parts of a soup and discussed what vegetables they would add. Next it was time to chop the celery, tomatoes, four different peppers, onions, carrots, green beans, zucchini, and squash. The first group then added their soup ingredients and also some rice. Time to switch! The second group listened to Kathy and got to do some chopping of their own, but they added noodles to their soup.
While the soup was getting hot and the rolls were baking we made our way to the garden to have a devotional. One of the many passages that we read was, “So I took the small scroll from the hand of the angel, and I ate it! It was sweet in my mouth.” Revelation 10:10. Each passage touched on the idea that the word of God is sweet like honey. Kids went around sharing why they think this comparison was made. A common theme discussed was that honey and sweet treats are special and make us happy, and God is important to us and makes us feel wonderful. We made our way back to the LYN House where the kids set the tables with napkins, bowls, cups, and spoons, and we prayed over the meal that was prepared by the kids. The first soup we tasted was the one with rice, and once that was devoured we ate the soup with noodles. While enjoying our meal we shared our opinions on the two vegetable soups and enjoyed our time with our friends.

Devotion time!

"I liked both of the soups. But my favorite is the one with noodles. We made rolls and I liked eating them! We got to put jelly and buttern on them!" Sarah

Viewfinder Project - Shapes and Patterns & Downtown Fun!

Thursday, July 5, was all about looking for shapes and patterns.  Our photography students were challenged to capture some very basic shapes (circles, squares, triangles, rectangles, ovals, etc.) and patterns in their photos.  We learned that pictures tend to be more dynamic and engaging when the frame is filled with these simple shapes and repeating sequences.  It was great to see the looks on the students’ faces as their eyes were opened to all of the playful patterns and simple shapes on their own streets.  The kids were encouraged to think about the things that ‘shape’ them as individuals, whether bad or good.  In the same way, it is always good to be aware of the ‘patterns’ in our own lives and in others’ lives – the ways we consistently behave or talk. 

 "This is my favorite shapes and patterns picture because there are rectangles around the frame and the windows are shapes, too; and it has a lot of patterns."  

Katie (age 11) 

 "I like this photo because it has rectangle and square shapes, and the weaving is a pattern."

Emma (age 11)

Friday, our final day, was a real treat for the students who got to take a trip downtown to take pictures of the buildings and sights.  Using all of the principals of good photography they had learned over that week, the kids came away with some very impressive pictures.  In celebration of a great week in the Viewfinder Project, we ended the day with milkshakes at Steak 'n Shake! 

"My favorite day in Viewfinder was when we took pictures of beautiful things."  -Katie

"My favorite day was when we took pictures of buildings.  I liked it because we went downtown." -Emma

Viewfinder Project - What Is Beautiful?

The next day of the Viewfinder Project taught the students to think about what is beautiful.  We know its easy to notice things that are ugly, so the goal was to teach the kids how to find the beautiful things as well.  This sometimes involves changing the way you think about your surroundings.  The daily devotion talked about how God created this world and us to be beautiful.  Things may come in to dirty the world up and sin may make our lives not so beautiful;  but God’s purpose is always to create beauty.  We are made in the beautiful Image of God; nothing changes that.  Jesus came to earth to save us from ugly sin and make living as the Image of God possible. 

   "I like this photo because it looks like it's not in the city.  Also it looks like the flowers are floating."

Emma (age 11)

"I love this picture because I framed it with a fence, and to me it looks like a key hole to a garden.  Like in the movie 'Secret Garden.'"

Katie (age 11)