SPACES Artventure open to 50 children

Boys and girls proudly show their art creations during the 2015 SPACES Artventure. Contributed/Heartstrings Photography by Heather

MADISON – Madison Arts Council (MAC) has organized an event to acquaint children with sculpture while they enjoy a fun, outdoor adventure.

The SPACES Artventure on Sept. 24 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. “will take 50 upcoming kindergartners through fifth-graders on a hands-on journey exploring our outdoor sculptures in Madison,” MAC spokesperson Beth Ridgeway said.

The youngsters will begin by inspecting the four sculptures in downtown Madison. Main Street’s sculptures are “A Carpenter’s Dream” by Kevin Vanek, “Pagoda” by Suzy Hendrix, “Three Wise and the Weary III” by Austin Collins and “Contemporary Couple” by Brad Morton.

Next, the Artventure tour will visit Madison City Hall to view and discuss “Winter” by Hanna Jubran. Finally, the children will go to Dublin Park to see two very different types of sculpture: three “Whisper Bench” sculptures with curved tubing that let two people talk to each other and “Oak Horizon Gate IV” by Jim Gallucci that welcomes guests to Dublin.

At each sculpture, the children will learn what the sculptor was saying with his piece of art and incorporate one of the following: drawing, dancing, pottery, photography, music or writing, Ridgeway said.

The children will enjoy a mid-morning snack. MAC will partner with Domino’s Pizza for lunch, which will include a treat from Whistle Stop Sweet Shop. Sundrop is donating soft drinks.

SPACES Artventure is a drop-off event for parents. “The best part? It’s free! All parents have to do is sign up online,” Ridgeway said. To register a child, visit artsmadison.org/spaces-artventure/.

Redstone Federal Credit Union is sponsoring the event.

“We’re also looking for volunteers for this day and future upcoming events. If you would like to help out for a day or have a high school student that needs service hours, sign up at artsmadison.org/volunteer,” Ridgeway said. The web page only requires the person’s name, email address, phone number and preferred time to help.

“Thank you so much for supporting Madison Arts Council. We can’t wait to share our upcoming holiday events with you,” Ridgeway said.

MAC’s mailing address is Madison Arts Council, P.O. Box 1929, Madison, AL 35758. For more information, email info@artsmadison.org or visit artsmadison.org, Facebook/Madison Arts Council or Twitter/MACouncil.