How to host a community art project on Dot Day

Our families love Dot Day
       and collaborative art projects

The Faxon Library patrons participate in community art projects many times throughout the year because, well, ART!!!!! And really...CREATIVITY!!!! Art projects abound in our branch because they stimulate our environment, make us all smarter and reinforce that sense of individual ownership and library membership.

There is value to exploring the arts for patrons of all ages.  The developmental benefits of art for children include motor skills, language development, decision making, critical thinking, visual learning and fun!  Let them create or as Peter Reynolds, author and illustrator of The Dot encourages, "make your mark"

Creativity, courage and collaboration....please listen to the story.

We hosted International Dot Day on Saturday, September 17th this year.  We registered here with the official International Dot Day.   You will find everything you need to host your own event on this website. 
    
A few years ago I created flannel circles in assorted colors and sizes to encourage dot play on the flannel board.  I am entertained by arrangements throughout the day.  Periodically the dots end up on the floor in a new arrangement.  I wonder...did they get tired of standing or just the natural flow of creativity?

How we made our community project at the top of the page: 

-One piece of white foam core board and one large piece of a deep plum paper for background 
-Using the paper cutter I pre-cut a bunch of stems and glued them in place
-scissors and glue sticks on the table-paper in lots of colors.  I cut a few circles - no tracing - just went for circle shapes

Result:
47 people contributed to this masterpiece
and easily 50 toddlers and parents played with the flannel board.   Success!

Community Art/Passive program/Pop-up makerspace ~ it's all part of what we do! Thanks for visiting Piper Loves the Library.  We love comments too.


P.S. (piper script) Another post on Dot Day! click here


  

International Dot Day!

Someday, somewhere, someone will ask you..."Where were you on International Dot Day?"  Were you in the library?  Well Piper was and boy oh boy did we have fun!  Check out our flannel dots!  Pretty cool, huh?

Now look at what our friend made with the dots.  I know, who knew?

A flying butterfly bear!  It's the best!

The power of the "dot".  Who doesn't love dots?

And who doesn't love Peter H Reynolds?  He's the author of the amazing and inspiring 

children's picture book, The Dot.  He's an award winning illustrator, author and founder of FableVision. (you have to click Fable Vision, truly click-worthy) Oh, and he owns a book store too, the Blue Bunny in Dedhan, MA.   I found the following sentence on his dot page:

 International Dot Day, a global celebration of creativity, courage and collaboration, began when teacher Terry Shay introduced his classroom to Peter H. Reynolds’ book The Dot on September 15, 2009.

Well, since I'm an obvious *FAN GIRL * we joined International Dot Day with  

Prime Time - Pajama Story Time with Mrs Breen and Piper!

Our books included The Dot, Lots of Dots by Craig Fraizer

and Herve Tullet's Press Here.  Following the stories 

and the singing game/placing all the dots on the flannel board - we made our mark.  

Yes we did, Peter H Reynolds! (Oh how I hope you're reading this!)  

With colorful paper and glue sticks and stickers - we went to town.

Hold on, here's another one!

I'm sure you know that you can't leave Pajama Story Time without some of 

Piper's Magic Fairy Dust and a goodbye to sweet ladybug.

Sweet Dreams my friends!  We love your comments.  Just leave us a dot!

And where were you on International Dot Day?  hmmm?  just askin'

P.S. (Piper Script) Peter H Reynolds  has a blog - get to know him and his books.  And yes, I have an orange ball in my mouth!