CLASSES + WORKSHOPS

Blaffer Gallery, the Art Museum of the University of Houston, is pleased to host its annual Summer Arts Workshops June 16 through June 26. This year's theme, Lost and Found, provides children ages 6 to 12 an opportunity to create artworks inspired by the 2009 summer exhibition Existed: Leonardo Drew.

The program is offered in two sessions: the first, on Tuesdays and Thursdays; the second, on Wednesdays and Fridays. Each session takes place from 9:30 a.m. until noon and costs $40. Children are encouraged to attend both sessions (activities will not be repeated among the two). Parents can register their children by calling 713.743.9971, or by visiting www.blaffergallery.org/summer_arts.html. Space is limited.

Summer Arts will be taught by professional artist and educator Patrick Renner, who received his Master of Fine Arts from Alfred College in New York. The program will begin with Blaffer docent-led tours of Existed: Leonardo Drew. Drawing inspiration from ideas and techniques seen in the artworks on view, children will then make their own works. Renner will lead projects that use a range of two-and three-dimensional material from hand-crafted paper (that the children will make) to found objects and more. The goal is to teach the children that art can be unconventional, made with a diversity of materials.

"The workshops are designed to maximize kids' creative abilities and teach them about lines, shapes and colors in ways they haven't thought of before," stated Katy Lopez, the assistant curator of education at Blaffer Gallery and coordinator of the event. "I am excited that Summer Arts will show children that art can be found everywhere, even in the most unexpected places, and can be made from everyday materials that surround them."

Existed: Leonardo Drew is on view at Blaffer Gallery May 15 through Aug. 1, 2009.

About Blaffer Gallery:
Founded in 1973, Blaffer Gallery, the Art Museum of the University of Houston, was named in honor of the late Sarah Campbell Blaffer, a noted Houston arts patron and collector. Since its inception, the museum has been a vital force in the presentation and promotion of contemporary visual arts in Houston. Blaffer Gallery is located in the Fine Arts Building on the University of Houston's central campus, entrance 16 off Cullen Boulevard. It is free and open to the public Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Sundays, Mondays and university holidays. The museum is ADA compliant. For general inquiries, please call 713.743.9530, or visit the museum online at www.blaffergallery.org .