Suncatchers: Making Windows Magical
Artists will begin with a scavenger hunt of the senses to gather materials. With the found materials and lots of sticky glue, artists will create suncatchers that shine and bring a magical perspective to any window. Activity Age Range: The Whole Family!
Materials Needed: School or craft glue (clear Elmer’s glue works wonderfully), a plastic lid (recycled yogurt or sour cream lids works great!), string for hanging the finished suncatcher, hole punch and materials found on the sensory scavenger hunt.
STEP 1. CONNECT This activity is inspired by Estefania Puerta’s, Sore Mouth Swore, currently exhibiting at the BCA Center through September 26, 2020. What are the most interesting materials that you have ever used to make art? Have you ever used dirt? How about honey or hair? Have you ever made a piece of art that smells good? Artist Estefania Puerta expands the way we traditionally approach choosing materials for art making. Estefania chooses materials that activate our senses. Her art invites us to see, smell and imagine the feeling of sticky, smooth, sparkly and bumpy textures. Many of Estefania’s artworks contain mirrors or tunnels to peer into. Although you won’t be able to smell the warm scent of beeswax that fills the Lower Level gallery, you can explore Estefania’s exhibition Sore Mouth Swore in BCA’s virtual tour. http://www.burlingtoncityarts.org Sore Mouth Swore installation details
STEP 2. CREATE Hunt Let’s make a suncatcher inspired by Estefania Puerta’s sculptures. Begin by gathering your materials. Try finding objects with the Sensory Scavenger hunt below. Sensory Scavenger Hunt: (the suncatchers are small so think little) Something that smells good Shine or sparkle Something organic and from nature Something smooth Fluff or softness Something stringy Color Something bumpy or pokey Any other objects that you find interesting and want to include in your suncatcher A bottle of sticky glue A recycled plastic lid (yogurt or sour cream lids work perfectly)
Prepare your suncatcher base Fill your plastic lid with glue. Make sure that the entire base is full but leave a little room for your objects. Collage your found objects to make the suncatcher magical Press your found objects into the glue, making an interesting arrangement. It is okay if they don’t all fit. Just use the ones you like best! Are your fingers getting sticky? Estefania Puerta works with lots of sticky materials too! It can be fun to get a little messy. Keep arranging your objects until you are finished. Drying Time Time to let it dry. A fan can speed up the process but it will take at least a day. It is worth the wait! You can keep checking on the glue but don’t touch it too much until it is completely dry. It is fun to see how the glue changes over time. Remove the suncatcher from the lid After the glue is totally dry, peel the dried glue off the lid and check out your suncatcher. Make your window magical Add a string by piercing a small hole in the glue with a hole punch. Hang your suncatcher in a window and peer into a shimmery magical world! Enjoy!