Thursday, July 23, 2009

Session 2 of Summer Camp: Photo Journal

Another great week of Summer Camp concluded today. Thanks to Ms. Rashewsky's class and Alex (and Wendy, his mom) for journeying downtown this week and being amazingly enthusiastic about each and every project!
Student craft-favorites included photography, toilet paper birds, tack boards, and sun prints.
See our facebook page for even more pictures from the week!




Family Fun Night: Frederik Meijer Gardens

Last night, despite the torrential downpour, we had many families come to Frederik Meijer Gardens for VSA's Annual Family Fun Night. Families bird-watched in the indoor gardens, learned about the Chihuly sculpture, built Calder-like mobiles and much more.

Thank you to all the families and volunteers who braved the weather and came out for a night of family fun!





Thursday, July 16, 2009

Session 1 of Summer Camp Concludes


Today we said goodbye to the students and volunteers from session 1 of VSA Summer Camp. After four days of creating sunprints, cutting out giant flowers, taking beautiful photographs, and piecing together tissue paper collages while laughing and enjoying the beautiful weather, it was a sad goodbye.

Thanks to all of you students who made it such a great week and thanks to Hannah and Heather for being such WONDERFUL volunteers!

Check out part of the garden they created with their giant flowers (above)as well as some of the beautiful photographs taken by the students of downtown Grand Rapids (below).









Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Summer Art Camp Begins

Summer art camp is in full swing this week and next. Our students this week will be partaking in a variety of activities. I have had the privilege of working with six year old Ryan. Ryan is always moving and is an adventurous little boy. He participates in all of the art activities, but like any little boy he is ready to move and run after five minutes of sitting. Normally his interest fades quickly, but not today when the parachute came out. The parachute is a large tarp with bright colors and handles around the sides. For the first time Ryan was not the first person to leave the game. His ear to ear smile and participation in the parachute games was a very pleasant surprise. As he participated you could see his eyes moving around to the different colors and students, could hear his laughter, and could sense his true joy and delight. Today was yet another exciting and eventful day. =] Very much looking forward to the rest of the week and next week.


~ Sarah


Sun Prints Instructions...


Painting Rocks

Monday, July 13, 2009

American Recovery & Reinvestment Act Grant Awarded to VSA

Last Friday, the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs met to discuss and pass their funding plan for the nearly $440,000 in federal stimulus money it received from the National Endowment for the Arts and Arts Midwest through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The council received 122 applications from current grantees requesting nearly $1.5 million to help protect 756 jobs throughout Michigan. Due to the limited amount of funds available the council was only able to fund around a fifth of the applications it received, helping to protect 142 jobs.

VSA was one of thirty organizations to receive an ARRA grant last week. This grant of $6,250 will be used to help fund VSA's Program Director position, which is vital to our sixteen programs and operations. We are truly grateful for the faith and support of the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and to our community for recognizing the value of the work that we do.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

What is there to do in July in Grand Rapids? At VSA, the answer is a lot and the best part is that there is still room if you want to join in the fun.

Our Summer Art Camps for children and youth start July 13. The first session is from July 13 -16; the second session, July 20- July 23. We have so many fun art activities planned, including photography of the city, creating tissue paper collages and designing mosaic tiles. I cannot wait for the fun to start! If you would like to join us, please e-mail us at vsaprogram@iserv.net.

And looking for a fun, free evening for the whole family? The VSA Summer Family Fun Night at the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is the answer. This annual event is always a highlight of the summer. We have fun activities to explore throughout the Lena Meijer Children's Garden from art projects to digging for fossils. You must pre-register (at vsaprogram@iserv.net ) to attend, but space is still available!

At VSA, summer days are not boring, they are exciting days of fun, creativity and art. Come join us as a participant, a volunteer or a friend. Everyone is welcome!

Contact Us

300 Ottawa Ave NW
Suite 0200
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Ph: (616) 885-5866
Fax: (616) 885-5867

STAFF:

Michele Suchovsky,

Executive Director

vsagr@iserv.net

Katie Timmermans,

Program Director

vsaprogram@iserv.net