Join the Club!

The Foundry Art Centre kicks off its new Children's Book Club in October, offering kids a chance to mix reading and art. Kids ages 3-8 can join the club, which meets once each month, and explore the world of books through fairy tales, sharing opinons and themed art projects.

Jessica May, Education Manager at the Foundry Art Centre, said the inspiration for the book club came from the transformation of a former gallery space into the Children's Gallery, and interactive space that includes a puppet theater, children's library, cozy reading areas, a "reading tree," touch-screen computers and art project stations. The space is also used for the center's popular Art Carousel program.

"With that background in mind, I wanted to utilize the childrens books we have been collecting. We have books on artists, art processes and movement, books about music and instruments, and books that celebrate the many cultures here in the U.S.," May explained.

Kids in the book club will read the same book each month, discuss the story, share their ideas and opinions about it and complete art projects based on the book. The first book club meeting is October 5.

"For book club," said May, "the idea is to connect literacy and art."

"Hopefully children joining the club will gain enthusiasm for both reading and art making," May continued. "The emphasis will be on fun, while also learning new ideas and skills. Each month the art materials will change, so children will be exposed to many art techniques and creative thinking challenges!"

At the final book club meeting in April, kids will celebrate with an art party and ice cream. Book club meetings are held usually on the first Saturday of the month from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Foundry Art Centre in St. Charles. Kids can attend one or all sessions, and parents/caregivers are welcome to stay with younger children during the book club meeting. Cost is $9 for members of the Foundry Art Centre and $10 for non-members. For more information, go to www.foundryartcentre.org or call 636-255-0270.