STEAM with Miss Jena @ Mt. Lebanon Public Library

I’m teaming up with Mt. Lebanon Public Library again to bring Virtual STEAM programming all summer long. All programs are free and materials are provided. Generously funded by Matt’s Maker Space

Tuesday, August 10


Put together dynamic artworks influenced by the colors, shapes and patterns of flowers and the animals that help them flourish.

Ages 2-4 | 10am – 10:45an

Ages 5-7 | 11am-11:45am

Ages 8-10 | 1pm-2pm

Tuesday, July 20


Create art camouflage and fool the viewer with clever mimicry inspired by animal patterns.

Ages 2-4 | 10am – 10:45an

Ages 5-7 | 11am-11:45am

Ages 8-10 | 1pm-2pm

Tuesday, June 8


Animal Architects

Engineer your own structures inspired by the amazing homes that animals create all over the world!

Ages 2-4 | 10am – 10:45an

Ages 5-7 | 11am-11:45am

Ages 8-10 | 1pm-2pm

Portraits | Adult Virtual Art Studio with Mt. Lebanon Public Library

Portraits | 3 Thursdays | Jan 14, 21 & 28 | FREE | 3:30pm – 5:00pm

Learn to construct the human face and form with instruction of anatomy and proportion. Create a specific mood and allude to narrative in each artwork using color and style. There’s no need to purchase anything new for this class, pull out underused or forgotten art materials from your home and experiment to learn the best properties of each.

ArtLab | Mt. Lebanon Public Library

November 2, 9 & 16 | Mondays | 4pm-5pm

Conduct experiments with a variety of art materials and create take-aways to use as an act of kindness in this series for kids in 3rd-5th grade.

This class if free, including a Class Kit that can be picked up at the Library. Generously sponsored by Matt’s Makerspace.

Adult Virtual Studio | Watercolor with Mt. Lebanon Public Library

Virtual Watercolor | Wednesdays | November 4, 11, 18 | 3pm – 4:30pm | FREE

Join me in Zoom to explore methods in watercolor painting. We’ll experiment with mixing mediums and application while creating vibrant and diverse artworks

Halloween Programs | Mt. Lebanon Public Library

I’m partnering with Mt. Lebanon Public Library again this month to offer Free Halloween themed programs for kids!

Mini Makers: Halloween Edition | Ages 2-3 with a grown-up | Saturday, October 24, 10am

Create a pumpkin patch, making each unique with magical reactions

Suggested Materials:

-heavy white cardstock or watercolor paper
-water cup
-paintbrush
-paper towels
-watercolors and/of food dye diluted with water
-drinking straw or eye dropper
-about 1 tbsp baking soda in a cup
-about 1 tbsp table salt in cup
-about 1/4 cup white vinegar in a cup
-washable markers
-aluminum foil
-plastic bubble wrap
-a damp paper towel
-black sharpie marker
-pencil
-scissors
-colored construction paper at least 8.5×11”
-glue stick, Elmer’s School Glue or adhesive squares


ArtLab: Halloween Edition | Ages 8 and up | Saturday, October 24, 11am

Design and construct the head of a dragon using drawing and collage methods

Suggested Materials:

-white drawing, watercolor or cardstock paper
-black sharpie marker
-pencil
-washable markers
-paint brush
-water cup
-paper towels
-empty cereal box cut flat
-aluminum foil
-bubble wrap and/or other plastic texture pieces like scraps of plastic fencing
-glue stick
-scissors
-optional: additional embellishments like sequins, glitter, glitter glue, paper scraps

Virtual ArtLab : Castles & Unicorns

Create a castle or other magical structure using recycled materials.

Mt. Lebanon Public Library has invited me back to create two programs for grades 3-5 based on the Summer Reading theme of ‘Imagine Your Story.’ Matt’s Maker Space has sponsored these programs so that they can be FREE for participants!

Castles Prints and Structures | Friday, August 7 @ 3:00pm on ZOOM | Register

Materials:

Recycled cardboard tubes, corrugated boxes, cardboard egg containers, and food boxes like pasta and cereal 

Masking tape

Scissors 

Glue stick or liquid school glue 

A variety of scrap paper, liquid paint or paint sticks

Styrofoam plates or trays

Pencil

White paper

Washable markers

Paint brush

Water container

Paper towels

Unicorn Weave video!

Unicorn Weave | view here

Materials:

Watercolor paper or heavy cardstock

Watercolor paint (or food dye and water or washable markers)

Paint brush

Scissors

Cereal box

Glue stick

Ballpoint pen

String, yarn or cut up plastic bags or material

Stick

Optional:

Glitter!

Virtual ArtLab: Shields and Dragons

Create decorative shields with materials like cardboard and aluminum foil

The Mt. Lebanon Public Library has invited me back to present virtual projects for K-2 students presented by Matt’s Maker Space!

Check out my how to create a Decorative Shield video here

Required Materials:

Cereal box

Corrugated cardboard, foam stickers, styrofoam plate, modeling clay or model magic

Aluminum foil

Glue stick

Black paint or black oil pastel

Masking tape

Optional-

Paint sticks or sharpie markers

Gems or sequins

Virtual ArtLab Zoom Class | Friday, July 30 | 3-4pm | Register

Required Materials:

Watercolor paper or thick cardstock

Watercolor paints

Paint brush

Table salt

Spray bottle

Oil pastel or crayons

Aluminum Foil

Washable markers

Water container

Paper towels

Scissors

School glue and/or glue stick

8.5 x 11 or larger colored paper or cardboard

Optional-

Magazines

Google eyes

Keep an eye out for 3rd – 5th grade programming in August!

Virtual Mini Makers: Monsters and Fairies

Puffy Paint Monsters!

Our second virtual Mini Makers, presented by Mt. Lebanon Public Library, will be a live Zoom class! I will post a short video with tutorials in the next week so check back.

Required materials are listed below:

Puffy Paint Monsters

-washable markers

-aluminum foil

-spray bottle or damp paper towel

-watercolor paper or white cardstock

-shaving cream

-Elmer’s School Glue

-container for mixing

-spoon or popsicle stick for mixing

-spoon or paintbrush

-googly eyes, eyes drawn with Sharpie Marker or cut from magazines

-optional : glitter or sequence, yarn, tissue paper

Fairy scene

-Magazines (Home and Garden types are the best)

-Scissors

-Glue Stick

Virtual Mini Makers Video: Bubbling Brew, Color Concoctions and Magic Flower Crowns

My beautiful Studio Assistant, Grunt

Watch my first Mini Makers Virtual Lesson on my YouTube channel here

If you want to create with me, check out the material lists per activity:

Bubbling Brew:

White distilled vinegar

Baking soda

Food coloring or liquid watercolor

Eye droppers (pipettes) or turkey baster

Shallow dish

Glass or plastic cups or an ice cube tray

Color Concoctions:

Clear glass or plastic containers

Water

Food coloring or liquid watercolor

Eye droppers (pipettes) or turkey baster

Shallow tray, plate or bin

Optional:

Water Beads

Glitter

Beads

Small plastic animals

Flower petals

Magic Flower Crown:

Washable Magic Markers

Coffee Filters

Paper Towels

Spray bottle

Water

Shallow Trays, plates or plastic table covering

A strip of card stock, cereal box or other heavy weight paper

Hole punch

Masking, packing, duct or aluminum foil tape

Scissors

Ribbon at least 1/2 inch wide

Don’t forget to subscribe to my channel and check back for additional videos!

Virtual Art Studio | Online classes for adults at Mt. Lebanon Public Library

Sketch books and Visual Diaries: Documenting Experiences and Drawing from Observation | July 8 | 3:00pm-4:30pm | Register

Begin a daily habit of creating and documenting your feelings, experiences and environment with art journaling. Learn to draw from observation and combine doodling, text and multiple drawing methods to create interesting and intimate artwork. Play around with what you have on hand and engage with members of your community for support and inspiration.

Creating a Successful Artwork: Focal Point and Building Interest | July 15 | 3:00pm-4:30pm | Register

Playing with Materials: How to Use What You Have | July 22 | 3:00pm-4:30pm | Register

En Plein Air: Take Your Tablet Outdoors | July 29 | 3:00pm – 4:30pm |Register

Recommended materials: oil or chalk pastels and/or watercolor paints, pencil, paper or sketchbook, clipboard or easel, cardboard with clip or masking tape

Don’t forget to check out the summer children’s programs here !