A unique community art workshop gave participants the chance to explore natural materials and create painted bone and animal skull artwork
What happens when you put a group of people, a collection of animal bones and skulls, and some paint around the same table? You get an afternoon of conversation, curiosity and some very unusual artwork.
On Wednesday, August 12, Art Borups Corners artist Leanne Nicholson led a three-hour workshop on painting bones and animal skulls at the Dyment Recreation Hall. The workshop ran from 1 to 4 p.m. and was part of the fourth annual Summer Arts Program.
Participants spent the afternoon learning about the different bones and skulls before using paint to decorate and transform them into their own pieces. Leanne shared her knowledge throughout the workshop, helping everyone look more closely at the materials while encouraging them to experiment with their own ideas.
The Summer Arts Program is now in its fourth year. It focuses on arts-based and participatory community building, as well as creative capacity building, giving local people opportunities to learn new skills, work alongside artists and take part in creative activities together. This year’s program continues through October 18.
The bone and skull workshop also offered a chance to create work for a larger community event. Some of the finished pieces will be exhibited at the upcoming Fall Arts Exhibition at the Dyment Recreation Hall, launching September 12.
It was a simple idea with plenty of room for creativity: take something from the natural world, learn more about it, and see what you can make from it.
Special thanks to Leanne Nicholson, Art Borups Corners, Melgund Recreation, Arts and Culture and the Local Services Board of Melgund for supporting this summer’s arts, culture and recreation programming.
