Available Starting Saturday March 6, 9am 
*Please note that this is a pre-recorded virtual class: a link will be emailed to you, which will become active when the class goes live starting March 6

Ages 7+

Explore the incredible art of storytelling with local artist Sarah Drake! This class will focus on sharing information through symbolic images, as we collage a variety of mediums onto a wooden trinket box. Though Sarah will guide you through several techniques and share tips for success, you are the artist and narrator of your project and will choose what you would like to create and what mediums to use. Because the instruction in this video is technique based, rather than project based, it may be helpful to watch the video in its entirety before starting your work; jot down ideas, form plans, and sketch out designs as you watch.

Deciding the story you want to tell is the most exciting part of this project! You can share about your family and friends, call grandma and grandpa to learn about your family history, think about your pets, where you have traveled to or where you would like to go, the music you enjoy, the food you like, or any combination you can imagine!

Your story can include fun abstract symbols or realistic representational symbols (or both!) that will help express your ideas. You can create your own images, or include photos from your family albums, magazine clippings, maps, postcards, and letters, just to name a few. There is no wrong way to create this storytelling box!

Once you have collaged your storytelling project, Sarah will show you how to seal the surfaces using non-toxic Mod Podge. Your collaged trinket box can be used to store special treasures, enjoyed as a decorative item in your home or given as a gift to a friend or loved one. Sign up today and get started on your own unique collaged storytelling box!

About our Virtual Art Classes:
We are excited to offer virtual art lessons for everyone ages 7 to 107! For your convenience and safety watch from your home right on your computer, tablet, or phone… just click play for your art adventure to begin!

Every class will include simple step-by-step video and written instructions for you to follow at your own pace, new techniques and skills that you can use for this project and with other projects of your own design, a little art history, and a lot of fun! You are welcome to purchase a materials kit (available through curbside pick-up at the Paramount Center for the Arts) or use materials you have at your home!

We greatly appreciate following organizations,
whose support made these activities possible:

Bank Vista

Casey’s General Store

Kwik Trip

Moose Lodge

St. Cloud Lions

Sauk Rapids VFW

What you’ll find (or need to collect from your home) in your Materials Kit:

Hinged Wooden Trinket Box
Crayola Colored Pencils (12 count)
2oz Bottle of Mod Podge
Tissue Papers (Miscellaneous textures and colors)
Brush (for applying Mod Podge)

You may also want to use (with permission) but not included in the kits:
Scissors
Glue/Glue Stick
Photos, Postcards, Maps, Sheet Music, Magazines, or other found papers and materials

*Curbside pick-up for materials (optional with registration) will be Thursday March 4, 4-5:30 pm

About the Instructor:

We are excited to work with Sarah Drake, an incredibly talented mixed-media artist, who teaches in the Central Minnesota community and has exhibited her work throughout the country and internationally. Sarah uses recycled and found objects in her artwork, which often focuses a critical view on socioeconomic and cultural topics. In 2011 Sarah founded an NGO non-profit called herARTS in Action, working to provide access to clean water and sanitation in West Africa. The many visits and relationships established through this work also influences her art and has resulted in the recent publication of a book, written and illustrated by Sarah, called “Nanou’s Promise: A Journey Beyond Hauling Water.” Sarah’s deep interest in working with people, passion for the arts, and supportive attitude have lead her on many thrilling adventures and interactions! She is excited to share some of her story as she works with you to tell yours!