Calder’s Circus: School Vacation Week Art Camp with Avis Turner

Tuesday through Thursday, April 17 to 19, 9 a.m. to noon

In this 3-day art camp for children ages 8 to 12 years old, we will explore the work of sculptor Alexander Calder. Most known for his mobiles, Calder also constructed a small, playful, puppet-like circus, which he carried in a valise. Made from bits of wire, cork, cloth, and string, the famous little circus was performed in both Paris and New York City during the 1940s. Everything moved and balanced, and acts included a lion tamer, a sword swallower, a chariot race, and a fantastic flying trapeze. After viewing photographs in books and video footage of Calder performing his tiny circus, participants will be encouraged to create their own small circus acts. We will use wire, felt, feathers, pieces of wood, corks, paints, glitter, foil, shells, buttons, and more.

Avis Turner is an artist and educator with degrees in childhood development and art education, as well as an MFA in sculpture. She has over 25 years of teaching experience in both public and private school settings, and studied the Reggio Emilia Atelier approach at Smith College and at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. In this approach students are encouraged to be “constructors of knowledge” and “protagonists of their own learning.” See examples of her work here.

Cost: $98; $80 members (Scholarships available, please inquire by emailing kfinlay@farnsworthmuseum.org.)