Growing Through Nature Art Class

Email Sara at sara.guggenheim@gmail.com

My name is Sara. I’m an art teacher, a member of The Family Room community, a mom to Aleph, and currently an art therapy graduate student. I’m so excited to be offering a new after-school series this fall at The Family Room! Through The Aleph Workshop, I create art experiences that bring together creativity, reflection, and community. Over the years, I've facilitated workshops for children, teens, adults, and families. I've worked in schools, synagogues, community organizations, and therapeutic settings. I have extensive experience creating spaces of well-being for diverse populations. My work has included community art experiences, creative programming for institutions, heritage projects, and Jewish and Hebrew education. I believe art is a medium through which we can deepen our connection, to our personal stories, our heritage, and each other. Life gets busy, and my work in life is to create spaces in time, where we can playfully reflect on what is important. I design workshops around the people in the room, your stories, interests, and what feels meaningful to you. Every workshop is different, but each one is rooted in curiosity, creativity, and connection.

This series is designed to nurture creativity, confidence, observation, and connection, all while getting our hands delightfully messy. Growing Through Nature is a six-week art journey for Kindergarten–3nd grade, where children will create with natural materials while exploring big ideas through play, conversation, and creativity.

Price: Sign up for the full workshop. $30 a session for non-members ($210) $25 for members ($175)

Throughout the series we'll explore questions like: What do I want the world to see in me? What has left an impression on me? What helps me grow? Who or what am I thankful for? Each week begins with a simple reflective question inspired by children's everyday experiences, followed by an open-ended art project using materials from nature. Together we'll create, wonder, experiment, and build a personal collection of artwork that tells each child's story.

Some of the projects include: Decorating a personal keepsake box to hold their creations Botanical clay impressions Nature crowns and wands Strength stones Handmade gratitude gift boxes

The series will conclude with a family exhibition, where children will share not only the artwork they've created, but the journey they've taken over six weeks. Parents will be invited to experience the exhibition together with their children through interactive reflection and celebration.