Art Education Students Getting 'Down to Earth' with Free Classes for Area Youth

Old Dominion art education students will lead free Saturday morning art classes for local students in grades 5-12 at the Hermitage Museum and Gardens Nov. 16 and 23.

The theme for the classes is "Down to Earth! The Art of Nature."

Participating students will create artwork to better understand our connection to Earth. For their projects, students can build large animal sculptures from found wood and objects; create a boat from materials found on nature walks in the Hermitage Gardens; create mythological creatures from clay; or even turn trash into trees.

All of the lessons will be developed and taught by the ODU art education students. Participants will also discover how they can act to conserve precious resources.

Morning classes on the two Saturdays will be from 9:30-11:30 a.m.; afternoon classes meet from 12:30-2:30 p.m. Students can take one or both sessions. All of the classes will take place in the Hermitage Visual Arts Studio building, located off of North Shore Road.

Participating students will have an exhibition and reception at the Hermitage Museum from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7.

The art education students will be collecting pillows, twin-sized sheets, canned food, children's books and children's clothing to benefit The Dwelling Place, an emergency shelter for homeless families in Norfolk. Donations may be dropped off on Nov. 16 or 23 in the collection box at The Hermitage.