KidzArt NW

Art Supply Liquidation Sale

KidzartNW@gmail.com (Kidzart NW) — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 18:49:00 +0000

January 22 – 24 / 1:00 – 4:00 PM each day.
All Art Supplies!
Teachers, Parents, Art Students don’t miss this sale! Planning a child’s birthday party? Need quality supplies for your class? Building your tools for projects?

KidzArt NW liqidating. Cash only.
Easy to find awesome bargains, in really good or 100% new condition, and NO CRAP to pick through! See below for a sampling - everything at least 50% - 90% off!

Rain or Shine... come to the front door (not the door by the garage).
100% NEW ITEMS IN ORIGINAL PACKAGING

class pack of Mr. Sketch Markers
Prismacolor Markers
rolling art carts
portfolios
paint of all kinds – tempera, acrylic, liquid watercolor, speedball ink
sculpey, pearl ex
glitter pens, glue
easel
acrylic boards
watercolor sets
piggy banks
watercolor pencils, oil pastels

USED ITEMS IN REALLY GOOD CONDITION – AT LEAST 75% LEFT TO USE
papers of all kinds
Mr. Sketch Markers
Prismacolor Markers
oil pastels, chalk pastels, charcoal packs
colored pencils,
watercolor pencils, watercolor crayons
glue sticks
metallic sharpies
black sharpies
flair pens
tabletop easels
And much more….

Email us at info@kidzartnw.com for location information.

KidzArt Territory for Sale

KidzartNW@gmail.com (Kidzart NW) — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 23:39:00 +0000

Local Portland / Vancouver KidzArt office is closing due to family health issues. Would you like to buy the territory? It's a steal at $10,000!

If so, please contact Sue Bartman, CEO of KidzArt at 517-784-5000 or toll free 888-813-2287.

Thank you!

Optical Illusions and Brain Benders for Summer

KidzartNW@gmail.com (Kidzart NW) — Mon, 24 May 2010 21:40:00 +0000

Beat Brain Drain this summer with a challenge to perception. Take a look at the optical illusions and brain benders we found on grandparents.com (a great resource for parents too!).

For the brain bender pictured, try to say the color of the word pictured, rather than the word. For instance, the first words you would say would be "green, blue, black..."

The site not only has more fun stuff like this one, but it has the background of the optical illusions, why they work, and why they fool you too!

2009-2010 Thank you Dinner for KidzArt Instructors

KidzartNW@gmail.com (Kidzart NW) — Mon, 17 May 2010 21:48:00 +0000

We here at KidzArt are so blessed with our crack team of instructors. Although they all couldn't make it (we missed you) we did treat our instructors to a dinner out! We are so proud of our team and want to thank you again for a great year!

Encouraging Creativity

KidzartNW@gmail.com (Kidzart NW) — Mon, 03 May 2010 19:37:00 +0000

Summer is coming, and with it a great time to nurture children’s creativity through art and other activities that inspire innovation, resourcefulness and originality.

As children experiment and test new waters, they learn and grow and develop their creativity which is beneficial in all areas of their lives. Check out the follow tips to nurture the creative side in your children:

1. Reduce the Stress Factor - Provide a quiet area where your child can go to decompress after the school day. Have art materials and simple household items available in a workspace area away from the TV or noisy siblings where your child can relax by doing an easy art activity.
2. “Blank Book” Drawing- Each day put an interesting object next to a notebook with empty pages for your child to draw in. Make it a surprise! For example, ask him or her to draw: shells, a small new toy, a miniature household item, an interesting flower, a feather or fossil. Provide at least two different mediums for experimentation such as colored pencils and oil pastels.
3. Decrease Media Overload- Turn off the computer, video games and television and engage kids in active play. Physical play such as sports and outdoor play or mental stimulation like board or card games promote kids’ natural creativity and is a great alternative to the passive time spent with their electronics.
4. Ask Open-Ended Questions- Pose questions to your children that start with who, what, where, when and how to encourage their creativity and critical thinking skills.
5. Engage the “Right Brain”- Allow children to exercise their right brain after a day of left-brain school academics. Right brain activity is stimulated by new events or activities, drawing with different colors, shapes and sizes, playing dress-up, dancing or listening to music.
6. Use All the Senses- Improve your kids’ use of their imaginations by encouraging them to use all five senses. Ask children to close their eyes and listen to the sounds around them. See which they can easily identify and which are more challenging. Encourage kids to identify new smells (both pleasant and otherwise) when you encounter them.
7. Allow Mistakes. Children often fear ridicule from their peers or parents if they make a “mistake”. Unfortunately this same fear inhibits higher order thinking: creative problem solving. Allowing your child to experiment with art also allows them to take a risk and try something new. This is the creative process and the skill will serve them well in all academic areas.

And as always... we'd love to see your little artist in KidzArt!

Teacher Gifts!

KidzartNW@gmail.com (Kidzart NW) — Mon, 03 May 2010 18:27:00 +0000

Well, it's getting to the end of the year, and for some of you searching for the perfect gift for your child's teacher, and if you're not giving your child's art project, have you thought about some of her favorite foods?

One thing we at KidzArt love is Navidi's Olive Oil & Vinegars at 322 NE Cedar Street in Downtown Camas. They have specialty oils and vinegars you will love like blood orange oil and pomegranite vinegar! If you like a little sweeter taste, don't forget the chocolate, vanilla, or coconut vinegars. You can even try before you buy! For the serious foodie, they offer specialty salts and truffle oil too!

Mangia! Mangia!

How does your Garden grow?

KidzartNW@gmail.com (Kidzart NW) — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 23:34:00 +0000

Let your young KidzArt artists share their creativity this Spring by making creative plant labels!

Supplies: Plastic lids, scissors, permanent pens

Cut a long rectangle from the top of a plastic lid--the kind from cottage cheese, sour cream, or other plastic containers -- the larger the better. Cut one end into a V shape to help insert into the ground. Use permanent colored markers--like Sharpies-- to draw illustrations of the vegetables that you are planting. Don't forget to recycle the tub itself curbside!

Recession - What Recession?

KidzartNW@gmail.com (Kidzart NW) — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 23:17:00 +0000

KidzArt loved this idea of donating empty storefonts to artists like Spaceworks Tacoma is piloting. The artists get 3 months free rent, the property owners drive up interest in their spaces.

Cork ReHarvest: Recycling made easy!

KidzartNW@gmail.com (Kidzart NW) — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0000

As you know, we at KidzArt support sustainability. We just found out there is a local cork recycling drop box at Whole Foods. Cork is as fully recyclable as that glass bottle your wine comes in, and now it's easy to recycle! This program started in our own backyard with Willamette Valley Vinyards and Salem's "Cork Reharvest".

KidzArt Matching Scholarship Awarded

KidzartNW@gmail.com (Kidzart NW) — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 20:51:00 +0000

KidzArt, the fine arts education program that focuses on drawing instruction for children of all ages, and a third grade teacher at La Center Elementary teacher, have made it possible for even more children in the La Center community to develop their talents. The teacher has sponsored a student and KidzArt NW has matched her donation with a scholarship to a student at La Center Elementary.

“We’ve seen our program work wonders for children who may not get the opportunity for advanced art instruction in their class room. Our program gives children the chance to develop their talents and creative skills,” says Melissa Beatty, owner of KidzArt in Portland/ Vancouver. "Through matching scholarships, KidzArt is able to bring art education to more children in the community", Beatty says.

The KidzArt program offers a constructive and creative outlet that encourages self-expression, communication and problem solving. The skills developed in the KidzArt program also help children develop skills they need for academic success.

The program is widely considered one of the best original fine arts education programs in the country. KidzArt has been asked by school districts and magnet schools across the country to provide programming to students in order to supplement the existing art program in the schools.

Treasure Hunt / Scavenger Hunt Ideas

KidzartNW@gmail.com (Kidzart NW) — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 20:31:00 +0000

We at Kidzart love a good scavenger hunt and we bet your little ones do too! Here are 7 ideas we got from creativekidsathome.com to get you started since not only is Easter fast approaching, but scavenger hunts gets little ones busy outside (or inside if needed) during this Spring Break!

1. Plan a treasure hunt with each clue leading to the location of the next clue. You can buy a set of plastic Easter eggs, but they are optional. Just make the clues easy to identify (use orange paper). Children as young as 2 can play this game by using pictures instead of words. (e.g. Put a picture of a bathtub in an egg. The next clue should be in the bathtub.) The final clue would lead to the treasure (plate of cookies, invitation to go to water slides, movie pass, lemonade). For older children, the clues could be riddles they need to solve. In the beginning, limit the number of clues to the age of the child ( 7year old could follow seven clues to the treasure).

2. Make a treasure map (or list of directions) that would lead to the treasure.

3. Use a single type of paper to make the letters that spell out the location of the treasure (e.g. guest bed). The kids need to find the letters, than unscramble the word to find figure out where is the treasure.

4. Write up a list of common objects and have the kids find every item. If there's lots of kids, divide them into teams, and then give each team a list.

5. Get a roll of 100 pennies or any collection of coins. Either hide the change around the house, or toss it on the lawn or a gravel driveway. Kids will spend lots of time making sure they've found every coin.

6. Hide the clues in Treasure Balls.
Make each clue a riddle with the answer being the location of the next clue. Clues could be short poems with missing words to figure out or use musical notes on a staff to spell out words.

7. Write the clues in code. Create your own, or use Egyptian hieroglyphs or Mayan hieroglyphs.

Looking Good! Sustainably and locally made handbags that look great!

KidzartNW@gmail.com (Kidzart NW) — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 23:03:00 +0000

DukeArt products are handmade from a variety of recycled materials. They gather waste-bound items and transform them into fashionable and sturdy handbags and accessories hand-crafted entirely in the USA, completely free of exploitative labor. Their handbag texture is really cool!

Because no two DukeArt creations are alike, they offer unique gifts, that can be custom made, all while contributing to the well-being of our natural world.

Please contact them for more information at: dukeart@comcast.net

Decision Making: How Infinite Choice Hampers Enjoyment

KidzartNW@gmail.com (Kidzart NW) — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 22:11:00 +0000

Do you ever wonder why we at KidzArt try to offer options to strech or simplify but not offer limitless options in a class? We all like choices, but when it comes to creativity, could too many choices create option paralysis?

According to Columbia Business School professor Sheena Iyengar - the answer is YES! "Turns out, it's the number of options, not just the [quality] of the options themselves, that matter."

In her new book "The Art of Choosing" she profiles the effects of too much choice in toys on 3 year olds. The group that was assigned toys played more happily than the group that was given limitless options. The free choice group (any toys) was disengaged and listless.

Too many options, and well, the mind rambles looking for a boundary. When given constraints to work within, the mind can settle in and get creative! KidzArt classes focus on one or two concepts and work within that concept each week. New week = new concept and different media. We hope you'll join us for Session E starting next week in many of our schools!

Buggy Mobile

KidzartNW@gmail.com (Kidzart NW) — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 21:01:00 +0000

We found this fun (and great for Spring Break) a bit more time intensive mobile project on Kaboose.com.

CREAM your old Computer!

KidzartNW@gmail.com (Kidzart NW) — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 18:23:00 +0000

No, it's not a scene from Office Space, but it does beg the question, where do you go to recycle your old electronics and computers? You don't want them entering the waste stream (you being an educated, knowledgeable, and fabulous person that you are - you know how the toxicity leaches out and we humans take it in - yuck!) but you also want to protect your data and privacy.

Enter "CREAM" or Computer Reuse Education and Marketing housed in the ReStore shop. CREAM is a non-profit organization that provides computers, education, job skills training and access to the Internet to those in need by reusing and marketing computers diverted from the waste stream.

Give Oso Martin a call to get your questions answered and provide a new home to your electronics! 360-735-0888

KidzArt & SeniorzArt Pair Up for "Family Day"

KidzartNW@gmail.com (Kidzart NW) — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 00:05:00 +0000

Seniors in Vancouver, WA Use Art to Keep Brains Young
Local owner demonstrates emotional and cognitive value of art in "Family Day" setting

Feb, 20th Vancouver WA: What do brightly colored drawings have to do with healthy brains? Some senior citizens at Glenwood Place are sharpening their minds with the help of art lessons offered by KidzArt / SeniorzArt. This local enrichment program is making art a fundamental activity that the whole family can enjoy when they visit.

“In addition to increasing confidence and helping people of all ages realize their artistic potential, art instruction provides significant mental exercise,” says Melissa Beatty, executive director of Kidzart NW.

Creativity, some scientists say, may play a vital role in healthy aging. In support of that theory, KidzArt classes provide a foundation for drawing realistically, but also help bring out the imagination and inventiveness in each individual. “KidzArt offers instruction taking into account individual cognitive and physical abilities,” says Beatty. “It helps 'kids of all ages' reconnect with their past artistic abilities or bring out new talent.”

This pilot program is starting at Glenwood Place Senior Living in Vancouver, WA. We wanted to offer a "Family Day" class so that family members of all ages could participate together in a fun activity that's confidence-building.”

The classes, which include soft music to promote a relaxing atmosphere, always focus on the process, not the final product. According to Beatty, “Our goal is to support and empower the seniors, their children, and grandchildren and hope that art brings them health benefits in addition to the joy.”

For more information on KidzArt / SeniorzArt classes in the Portland Metro area, call 360-699-2222.

About KidzArt NW
KidzArt teaches students how to draw more realistically. During this process, a student learns confidence, creative problem solving, and have a great time too! KidzArt partners with local PTA's to bring this elective to each school's community after the school day. Birthday Parties also available – please visit us at www.kidzartNW.com.

Local KidzArt for Sale!

KidzartNW@gmail.com (Kidzart NW) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 21:27:00 +0000

Run a business that makes a difference in your community!

Vancouver / Portland KidzArt franchisee selling business. Business was featured in The Columbian (front page & photo of the business sect/) on 9/28/09. Owner is selling due to personal reasons.

$5000 working capital included in the sale if completed by April 30th.
Doubled in size in first year and again in second (during poor economy) due to a quality reputation.
Low overhead — no real estate costs, no large inventories or high equipment costs.
All business systems set up regarding online registration, account management, marketing, customer information and communication, purchasing, inventory, HR items including: instructor training (you do not have to be an artist to run the business), payroll, etc.
10 great instructors already trained and teaching classes.
Receive on-going support to help you succeed from the current owner after sale and KidzArt corporate maintains office full time to support franchisees.
Curricula from KidzArt is provided for you.
Receive an exclusive protected territory on both sides of the Columbia River.
Marketing materials already developed and established customer base & customer lists provided.
Grow debt free. Business has no debt. Perfect home-office business if desired or move into an administrative office.
Owner flexible on terms. Talk to us!

Click or call for more info http://www.kidzartnw.com/ and 360-699-2222 info@kidzartNW.com. Serious Inquires Only Please. No Soliciting.
Columbian Article can be found at: http://www.columbian.com/article/20090928/BIZ01/709289988

Valentine's Day Card Boxes

KidzartNW@gmail.com (Kidzart NW) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 21:09:00 +0000

Why settle for a boring envelope? How about those Valentine's sitting in style? We found an easy and fun craft. Use your empty kleenex boxes and make a fun animal - the mouth of your "animal" is the hole in the top of the box!

Turn the box on it's side, cover in paper - add embellishments to make a cat, monster, or be creative and make your own. Templates provided!

Some of our favorite quotes...

KidzartNW@gmail.com (Kidzart NW) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 20:54:00 +0000

As you know, we at KidzArt provide after school art classes for local elementary schools that we are partnered with. Although we can't take credit for these quotes, we thought parents on the go might appreciate a quick laugh too with some quotes from 1st graders! They were asked to complete the second half of well known proverbs.

Strike while the.... bug is close.
Don't bite the hand that... looks dirty.
A miss is as good as a ... mister.
If you lie down with dogs you'll.... smell funny in the morning.
A penny saved is... not much.

Have a great day!

Doodles ... keeps you sharp!

KidzartNW@gmail.com (Kidzart NW) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 20:36:00 +0000

In a recent study by Jackie Andrade, PhD., the benefits of doodling while listening to phone messages were shown. Not only did participants remember 29% more information than non-doodlers, it allows the brain to relax and possibly stay on task with boring tasks.

Let us help your doodling abilities! Sign up for a KidzArt class today!

Sand Animation

KidzartNW@gmail.com (Kidzart NW) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:45:00 +0000

If you're in a school that KidzArt serves, chances are you're little artists have seen our version of Sand Art. One of our KidzArt Instructors forwarded this link of the awesome storytelling ability through sand animation. We wanted to share.

Kseniya Simonova as featured on Ukraine's Got Talent (she won!)

Rainbow back lit sand animation by Ilana Yahav

A short one by Qwest you may have seen on TV

Another short by Qwest

A different take on a much larger scale by Simon Carroll sand art on the beach

Ukrainian sand animator Kseniya Simonova (her story is about WWII so watch first to be able to narrate for little ones as you think appropriate).

We promise, you'll be amazed!

It's easy being green. Tree Recycling!

KidzartNW@gmail.com (Kidzart NW) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:31:00 +0000

As you know we at KidzArt are big fans of reduce, reuse, recycle. If you've got a natural tree, make sure it helps to give back by recycling it. If the local boy scouts aren't coming to your place, find out where and how to recycle other stuff... at http://www.earth911.com/ for recycling centers searchable by zip code.

Here's the tree related recycling centers we found in Clark County & surrounds....

Now that we've saved you time with that, here's 5 ways to green your Christmas tree!

And...if you want to totally forgo all of that for next year, how about renting a tree from our own Living Christmas Tree Co. in Portland, OR

Citrus Potpurri

KidzartNW@gmail.com (Kidzart NW) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:26:00 +0000

Everyone likes a fresh smelling home, but at KidzArt we are definitely partial to natural scents. After you've made the cranberry tea (see below post) you can use the citrus peels and extra spices to make a natural citrus potpourri. Take the orange and lemon peels (add lime if you want) and roast them on low in the oven for about 2 hours. When removed, add cloves and cinnamon to the bowl.

A little scent of summer in the winter!

Cranberry Tea Recipe! Fun & Tasty!

KidzartNW@gmail.com (Kidzart NW) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:12:00 +0000

This one's not caffeinated, and super yummy. Fun for little ones to make too!

Ingredients:

3 1/2 quarts water
1 12 ounce package of cranberries
1 cup brown sugar
2 oranges juiced
2 lemons juiced
12 whole cloves
2 cinnamon sticks

In a large pot, combine water and cranberries. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Add sugar, orange juice, lemon juice, cloves and cinnamon sticks. (Transfer to crock pot if you have it - use low setting) or cover and steep for 1 hour before serving.

We've changed the sugar in this recipe to brown instead of white (and less). To see the original find it here...

Multicolor Snowflakes / Ornaments / Sun Catchers

KidzartNW@gmail.com (Kidzart NW) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 22:31:00 +0000

The white cut paper snowflakes are a classic. If you're looking to get some color in them (and maybe turn them into ornaments?) try Scratch Art Lite or Scratch Art Board from your local Art Supply store. The artist uses a wood stylus to scrape away the black coating (working in negative - the artist scrapes away what is not wanted) to reveal a kaleidoscope of color.