Mini-Factory is an interactive learning program designed for children ages 3-5 years old and their parents or caregivers. Participants are invited to explore, play, and grow! Focused on a variety of themes and installations, participants can enjoy story time and work on a collaborative hands-on project. Mini-Factory is a mobile, adaptable pop-up space that students can help to build and then use to explore new ideas and concepts.The program uses contemporary installation art as the basis for enabling exploration.
Mini-Factory is held on the second and fourth Saturday of each month from 10:00 until 11:00 am at the Mattress Factory. Upcoming Mini-Factory sessions include:
Saturday, January 14: LINE
Children will learn about different types of lines and how artists use LINEs in creating their work. Inspiration and observation from the everyday world will be our starting point.
Saturday, January 28: ZOOM
What happens when you zoom out? Or when you zoom in? Students will use their imagination to learn about perspective and scale in art through children’s literature and activities.
Saturday, February 11: LIGHT
For centuries artists have been inspired by LIGHT. Students will explore how installation artists use LIGHT to create art and how different colors respond to LIGHT.
Saturday, February 25, 2017: BALANCE
Students will explore the concept of balance through looking at art, body movement activities and children’s literature.
Saturday, March 11: LOOK
Sometimes it can be difficult to see the forest through the tree! Using our senses, LOOK focuses on fine-tuning observation skills to see the beauty, the details and the genius in any object. Awesome art, literature and activities included.
Saturday, March 25: TEXTURE
Soft, slimy, rough… exploring different types of texture through art can provoke the senses and curiosity. Students will observe, discuss and feel how artists achieve various textures when creating works of art. Warning: this will be fun!
Saturday, April 8: NATURE
Let’s explore art and nature together! Learn how some artists use soil, plants and rocks to make ever-changing artwork, or how other artists try to bring nature inside the gallerie. How does NATURE inspire you?
Saturday, April 22: ME
I’m as brave as a tiger… and quiet as a clam. Who are you? Students will explore self-expression through children’s literature, art and activities. Learn vocabulary to express your feelings and thoughts, and we’ll guide them through the galleries as we observe how art is a form of self-expression
For more information, or to register, visit the Mattress Factory’s Mini-Factory webpage. If you have questions, call 412-231-3169 or email education@mattress.org. Visit the Mattress Factory Calendar to see the most up-to-date information regarding Mini-Factory programs.
