The ART of Hygge: Cozy, Artistic Magic! In-service Day Art! Tues. 2/17 12-3:00
The ART of Hygge: Making Cozy, Artistic Magic! In-service Day Art Workshop, Tuesday, February 17th, 12-3:00
Hygge. (Pronounced hoo-gah) The Danish practice of intentional coziness, comfort, and connection that soothes the soul and warms the spirit. As winter slowly fades and spring begins to whisper, send the kids to join us for a magical, tactile art workshop inspired by ALL things sensory and beautiful. Our inspiration for our art on this cozy day will be the sun, the moon, and the Chinese Year of the Horse!
Artists will explore this beautiful moment of balance - when nights still linger and days grow brighter - through clay, fibers, colors, and artistic journals! It's a celebration of light, tactile arts, and new beginnings - blending cultures, traditions, and crafts.
Our workshop for kids is a cozy, creative day designed to celebrate texture, light, warmth, and coziness during the heart of winter, when days slowly grow brighter! Our projects for this workshop have been thoughtfully designed to be tactile, sensory, and provide mindful art experiences. We are also welcoming our newest artist to the studio, polymer clay artist Wendy Merron:
-Polymer Clay Candleholders with special visiting artist Wendy Merron
-Needle Felted Wall Art
-Fabric Covered Journals with Ribbon-Tie Closures with Charms
-Chalk Pastel Art
Students will explore tactile, natural materials - soft wool, felt, fabric, clay, and paper -focusing on texture and the joy of working with their hands.
Student artists will create a celestial clay candle holder, inspired by the sun and moon, using polymer clay and a battery-operated candle to bring soft, warm light into their work.
Next, students will design a flat needle-felted wall art piece, layering wool to create peaceful sky scenes filled with clouds, stars, and gentle movement. This slow, repetitive process encourages calm focus and mindful making.
Students will also be introduced to soft pastels during a guided instructional, working on sanded pastel paper with a rainbow of colors to create artwork filled with glowing light and atmosphere. This simple yet expressive medium allows for quiet experimentation and beautiful color blending.
To finish the day, artists will create a felt and fabric-covered customized journal, designed as a cozy keepsake for drawing, writing, or reflection. Each journal will include the opportunity to work with up-cycled fabrics, patches, han,d-made doilies, and granny squares, along with ribbons for the closure and charms to finish it off, emphasizing color, beauty, history, and personal meaning.
Hot chocolate and a light snack will be provided. Please notify us if your child(ren) has a food allergy we should be aware of.
We're very excited about this one!
About the Teachers/Artists:
Wendy Merron: Wendy Merron is an award-winning polymer artist who lives in Devon, PA, with her husband and a much-loved rescue dog. She proudly serves as Vice President of both the International Polymer Clay Association and the Haverford Guild of Craftsmen. Wendy is also the founder of the Center of Success in Wayne, PA, and a Certified Instructor with the National Guild of Hypnotists—proof that creativity and curiosity go hand in hand.
Wendy exhibits her work and is passionate about teaching locally. As Wendy says: “Creating beautiful decorative objects with polymer clay is something anyone can do. With the right guidance and a willingness to play, the possibilities are endless. Polymer clay never dries out, the colors are gorgeous, and it just might become your new favorite (slightly addictive) hobby.”
Tracy Taylor: Tracy Taylor, the artist who founded the Free Range Art Studio, uses her years of teaching experience and her design degree to bring art to all ages. In addition to the kids and teens workshops, the homeschool art classes, and private art parties, Tracy teaches some pretty amazing adult art workshops! She has a love of alcohol inks, polymer clay, jewlery crafting, and coffee painting to name a few. Tracy grew up in Thornton, but now resides in Unionville with her family and random mix of pets - which includes a pot bellied pig named Lulu! Tracy's background and love of art and teaching create the perfect storm of colors, paints, messes, and experimentation at the Free Range Art Studio! If you join one of Tracy's workshops, you will feel right at home and encouraged to experiment in many ways with the materials and art/design!
How to Find Us!
Some people say we're a "hidden gem", and we kind of like that! We're close in proximity to major roads and some of the area's best shopping/dining, yet we are right off of some of the most beautiful rural roads in the southeastern PA area. We are located at 381 Brinton Lake Road, Thornton, PA 19373.
We are located behind the historic Mill (the Offices at the Mill). When you enter the parking lot, immediately turn right and go behind the main building. We are a short drive down the gravel lane and are in the smaller "Carriage House Collective" building behind the main building. We are on the 2nd floor!
Our studio is up the exterior staircase and is byo food/drink! We can't wait to welcome you to our cozy space!