The Fort Smith Regional Art Museum, 1601 Rogers Ave., has brought back RAM Saturdays, its popular make-and-take art program. Families can now choose between two sessions: 12-1 p.m. and 2-3:30 p.m. The theme this year is world cultures.
Petra Radcliffe, a lifelong artist who assists with the education program at RAM, is thrilled with the new format. “With the two sessions, we can focus more on the craft we’re doing and have something a little more in-depth, because I can talk to them as a class instead of having people coming in every five minutes,” she said.
She added with a laugh, “Every famous artist you know hated art class,” so after a brief explanation of the project, she encourages everyone to dive in with their own creativity. “Here’s the stuff, here’s kind of an idea, knock yourself out.”
Radcliffe noted that one of the best things about RAM Saturdays is the wide variety of art supplies attendees get to work with. “They have a chance to explore with a lot of different materials that would be really costly to provide on their own for, say, five kids.”
The time between the sessions is used for cleaning and replenishing the tables with fresh art supplies.
Radcliffe has researched world cultures to find delightful crafts that are fun to make and teach about the world.
“I want to know everything in the universe I possibly can about other cultures,” she said. “How could you not want to know this stuff? What they eat, how they live, the kind of things they think are funny, what they watch on tv. I’m so curious about it, I want to share it with other people so they can learn, too,” Radcliffe said.
A digital screen in the classroom reveals images from throughout history of the specific craft – African masks, Japanese lanterns, Celtic kilts, Mexican yarn dolls, Slavic puppets, a Great Barrier Reef that glows, and much more. Families are in for educational fun and creativity at RAM Saturdays.
The projects are “hard enough that a grown-up can do it and simple enough for a 3-year-old,” Radcliffe assured.
To register for RAM Saturdays, visit the education tab on RAM’s website or call 479-784-2787.
This column is produced by the River Valley Arts Coalition. To send comments or for more information contact [email protected].
ART THIS WEEK:
Fort Smith Regional Art Museum
1601 Rogers Ave., Fort Smith
479-784-2787
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“John Haas In Memoriam”: On view through May 22.
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“RAM Annual Invitational – Metamorphosis”: On view through May 22.
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“Chuck Davis – The Wheel”: On view through June 5.
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“Selections from the Permanent Collection – The Eva Rubinstein Portfolio”: On view through June 5.
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“Dr. W.E. Knight Porcelain Gallery” in memory of Dr. Henry Udouj.
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“Drop-in and Draw”: Live model; 10-3 p.m. Thursdays; bring supplies; register at fsram.org/education.
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“RAM Sketch”: Pen and ink series with Laura Wattles available on Zoom every Tuesday at 7 p.m.; register at fsram.org/education or join via Facebook Live.
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“RAM Saturdays”: Register at fsram.org/education.
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Visit fsram.org.
Windgate Art & Design
5210 Kinkead Ave., Fort Smith
479-788-7290
Arts on Main
415 Main St., Van Buren
479-474-7767
This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: RVAB: Explore art and the world at RAM Saturdays