A Start With the Arts meets daily Monday-Friday and offers 4-5 year-olds the opportunity to work with an art educator  to explore the art, culture and wildlife of India through movement, drama, art making and other hands-on activities. The program for pre-schoolers parallels the school-age program in theme and content.

 For ages 4 – 5.

8:30am

Tanjore painting is one of the most popular art forms of Southern India. An ancient art, Tanjore painting incorporates semi-precious stones, glass and gold into the painting. Work with artist Melodee Strong create your own Tanjore inspired painting complete with jeweled cabochons, gold foil and more.

10:15am

Pulikkali is a traditional art form in which people dress up as tigers. The word Pulikkali means “tigerplay” or “tiger dance” and is part of the Onam Festival, a harvest festival, celebrated in the state of Kerala, southeast India. Join artist Gustavo Boada and create your own tiger mask, costume, and dance. For ages 9-12.

8:30am

Pulikkali is a traditional art form in which people dress up as tigers. The word Pulikkali means “tiger play” or “tiger dance” and is part of the Onam Festival, a harvest festival, celebrated in the state of Kerala, southeast India. Join artist Gustavo Boada and create your own tiger mask, costume, and dance.

10:15am

Tanjore painting is one of the most popular art forms of Southern India.An ancient art, Tanjore painting incorporates semi-precious stones,glass and gold into the painting. Work with artist Melodee Strong create your own Tanjore inspired painting complete with jeweled cabochons, gold foil and more.

For ages 6 – 8.

8:30am

Pulikkali is a traditional art form in which people dress up as tigers. The word Pulikkali means “tigerplay” or “tiger dance” and is part of the Onam Festival, a harvest festival, celebrated in the stateof Kerala, southeast India. Join artist Julie Boada and create your own tiger mask, costume, and dance.

10:15am

Ancient India developed Ayurvedic medicine, which uses plants for healing…a practice that is still in use today! Working with artist and herbalist Laurie Witzkowski, learn about some of the plants and their uses, sample some teas and other preparations, and take home a syrup or salve made in our classroom. AND, using papers and found objects, create a beautiful plant mosaic, inspired by the gorgeous mosaics seen in the Taj Mahal, India’s most famous ancient temple!

For ages 6 – 8.

8:30am

Ancient India developed Ayurvedic medicine, which uses plants for healing…a practice that is still in use today! Working with artist and herbalist Laurie Witzkowski, learn about some of the plants and their uses, sample some teas and other preparations, and take home a syrup or salve made in our classroom. AND, using papers and found objects, create a beautiful plant mosaic, inspired by the gorgeous mosaics seen in the Taj Mahal, India’s most famous ancient temple!

10:15am

Pulikkali is a traditional art form in which people dress up as tigers. The word Pulikkali means “tiger play” or “tiger dance” and is part of the Onam Festival, a harvest festival, celebrated in the state of Kerala, southeast India. Join artist Julie Boada and create your own tiger mask, costume, and dance.

For ages 9-12.

8:30am

India has a rich history of shadow puppetry. Discover the gorgeous world of color shadow puppets working with artist Kallie Melvin. Explore many stories of the Hindu God Ganesh, the little boy with a baby elephant head. Then learn how to make your own batik-like puppets and create a shadow show!

10:15am

Join artist Tara Fahey to learn how to hand-paint and block print on cotton fabric. Inspired by the traditional art of Kalamkari from southern India, create colorful wearable art that incorporates images of elephants, tigers, peacocks and more, along with traditional patterning. Additional materials fee of $10

For ages 9-12.

8:30am

Join artist Tara Fahey to learn how to hand-paint and block print on cotton fabric. Inspired by the traditional art of Kalamkari from southern India, create colorful wearable art that incorporates images of elephants, tigers, peacocks and more, along with traditional patterning. Additional materials fee of $10.

10:15am

India has a rich history of shadow puppetry. Discover the gorgeous world of color shadow puppets working with artist Kallie Melvin. Explore many stories of the Hindu God Ganesh, the little boy with a baby elephant head. Then learn how to make your own batik-like puppets and create a shadow show!

For ages 6 – 8.

12:30pm

The art of painting on ceramic tiles originated in 15th century Portugal and traveled to India when the Portuguese settled in Goa, a region bordering the Arabian Sea. Known as Azulejo tiles, they are still created today. Work with artist Katja Johnson to design and paint a tile series and mug using special paint markers. Additional $10 materials fee. 

2:15pm

Have you ever wondered if you can tell a story without saying a word out loud? Explore the footwork, expressions and hand gestures of a centuries old South Indian dance form to tell stories from India and beyond. Join Twin Cities Bharatanatyam teaching artist Suchi Sairam, founder of Kala Vandanam, to learn this cultural dance form, along with the allied art konnakkol (vocal percussion) and Indian folk arts like kolam (floor painting) and mala (garland making).

For ages 6 – 8.