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)

Viewfinder Project- What Is Ugly?

The first real lesson of the Viewfinder Project poses an interesting question to our photography students....What is ugly?  The student quickly agreed that it can be pretty easy to find the ugly things in our neighborhood and the world in general.  The challenge of the day was to try and see the ugly in a different way.  The ugly can always be redeemed and can serve a purpose.  The kids then went out to walk the streets and find the messy, run down, neglected, rusty, unloved things, and then turn it into art -through the viewfinder of a camera.  The devotion for the day spoke of what is ugly in all of us: sin.  The students were able to see how selfishness is really the root of all sin against God and others.  We each become trapped by our own self interest until we are literally 'slaves to sin;' love cannot get in or out.  But true love, the love of God, brings freedom from self and sin.  Beauty defeats the ugly when we open ourselves up to God's love and love others before ourselves.

"I decided to take this picture because there is trash everywhere and the place is abandoned; and it looks ugly.  I like this picture because it looks like the bottle is close up and the door is far away."   

Katie (age 11)

 

"I decide to take this picture because it looked like the trash was made into art.  Also we needed to take pictures of ugly and littering is ugly.  I like this picture because...it looks awesome!"

Emma (age 11)

 

The Viewfinder Project- Intro.

Day one of The Viewfinder Project helped to teach students new to photography about the basics of taking a good photograph.  They learned about the importance of things like taking multiple pictures of the same object at different angles, applying the rule of thirds, filling the frame with the subject, and drawing the eye to certain points in the picture.  It did not take long for these photography proteges to catch on to these principles and come up with some truly creative images while touring the neighborhood.
Here are a couple of the students' favorites from the day.

 "This is one of my favorite pictures that I took; because it's close up and far behind it the blue background looks really good with the silver and gold can."  Katie (age 11)

"I like the swing photo because you can see the swings through the first swing hole.  You can also see the poles; the big ones are blue and when they get smaller they're yellow."  Emma (age 11)

Kid's Kitchen Cakes!

Yesterday was the second day of Kids Kitchen, where twelve kids gathered at the LYN House to create their own 8in. mini cakes.  Mrs. Carol, who has been making cakes for years, was our guest ‘chef.’  The kids had a terrific time preparing and mixing their own cake ingredients, making decorative cake plates, and preparing colorful butter cream icing.  While the cakes were baking and cooling, the children learned about the value of patience in the daily devotion.  We all knew good things would come out of us patiently waiting for our cakes to bake; in the same way good things come out of our being patient in all areas of life.  Being patient with other shows true love.  Patiently waiting on God shows trust in his perfect timing and gives us strength.  In addition, journal entries were made by each child on the steps to make a cake.  After the cakes had cooled, the students enjoyed decorating their vanilla and chocolate cakes with colorful icing and various cake decorations that Mrs. Carol had brought for them to use.  The kids couldn’t wait to get home and show their families their beautiful, sweet creations!....And of course, eat them!

TVFP 2- Indianapolis Zoo

Yesterday, we enjoyed the hot weather by taking a trip to the Indianapolis Zoo! Students took their cameras and walked around snapping pictures of animals, plants, and anything that caught their eye. Together we pet sharks, watched the dolphin show, explored the colorful bird exhibit, and watched talented dogs perform some silly tricks. The challenge of the day was capturing a subject in motion. The students learned to be patient, take shots from different angles, and to take multiple pictures of the same subject. Although the day was extremely hot, the students still managed to capture some awesome photos of the animals and plant life at our Indianapolis Zoo.

Amir, age 15

Alisha, age 14

Ryan, age 15

Nick, age 12

Game On!...Or Not.

TVFP 2- Picture Story

Photography challenge of the day- producing a picture story! Students joined together to create their very own story; however, this story has no words but only pictures. Before they took any pictures they brainstormed to create their original story. Next we headed to our location- the park. The students brought their story to life by staging different action sequences, and taking pictures from numerous angles. When they were content with the shots they took we headed back to the LYN House to edit. Photos were cropped and some distorted for the “dream” sequence. The photos were then put in order and the picture story was completed!

Students enjoyed this creative challenge, and learned that in order to get their story across to viewers the students needed to collaborate with one another.

Picture story to come!

Amir taking a shot of the girls!

TVFP 2- Collages

Today marks the first day of The ViewFinder Project 2. This week is for students who have previously taken photography classes at the LYN House. Each day the kids will be given a new challenge where they will have to put their skills to use. Today was all about collages. Before the kids set out on the photography adventure we had a refresher on how to take good pictures. The kids were reminded to get creative, take multiple shots of the same subject, and to even take pictures on their bellies.  

Below are each of the student’s collages, and also a description of where they took the pictures, why they chose the location, why it is important to the community, and what they like about their creation.    

"I chose Pogue's Run because of its unique colors. It is important to the neighborhood because it is an organic food source for the community. The thing I like most about my collage are the vibrant colors." Ryan, age 15

"I chose The Little Green Bean Boutique because the name was interesting and I wanted to see the inside of it. The Little Green Bean is important to our community because it has clothes for babies, and it is nice to see small businesses in our community. I like my collage because it shows various aspects of The Little Green Bean Boutique. It also has very bright colors that pop right out of the collage." Amir, age 15

"We chose the church (First Free Methodist) because it is an important figure in our community. People come to church for peace and comfort and it means a lot to our community. The church is a safe place for our community where we know no one will judge us on our mistakes and our pasts. The church welcomes everyone with open arms. Our collage captures every essence of our church- the music, the scripture, the representation of God shining through our church, and the sense of community our church gives." Alisha, age 14 and Nick, age 12

Kid's Kitchen Pizza!

Monday, June 25 was our first day of Kids Kitchen. Every Monday for the next five weeks kids in the community will get the chance to cook yummy dishes as well as read the word of God. The first Kids Kitchen was a pizza cook off. We started the day in our community garden where the kids got to taste oregano, spinach, and observed the growing vegetables. While in the garden we read 1 Corinthians 12 and discussed the different parts of a pizza. We learned that each part is important and has something to contribute just like each of us in the body of Christ. We then headed to the kitchen to finally start cooking. Some kids cut the toppings while others prepared the dough and made the sauce. Next we gathered to taste test the toppings. Each kid bravely tried a black olive, green pepper, pineapple, mushroom, ham, and pepperoni. To see which toppings were liked the best, we created a chart to track everyone’s favorites. Kids then broke into pairs and created their very own pizza. The pizzas would be judged on appearance and taste. While the pizzas baked the kids wrote in their journals about how they made their pizza and who they thought would win the contest. Next was the best part… tasting the pizza!!! Kids rated each pizza on a scale from 1 to 5 for both looks and taste. After tasting all of the delicious pizzas we compared our scores and picked a winner. We had a blast trying new foods, baking, writing about our experience, and of course eating pizza with friends!