Art ala Carte

After speaking with an amazing mother with a wonderful “special needs” son.  I had discovered that some parents check websites to see if their children would be welcomed in the environment.   It never occurred to me to have to post this information on my website.  I was ignorant to the fact that some community environments and children related activities actually put boundaries or outcast some people.  ALL CHILDREN and ALL ARTISTS are not only welcomed at Art ala Carte but they are nurtured, supported and safe in this space.  Our open based art is a great concept for children with sensory or texture aversions.  Children are welcomed to make art at their pace, make a mess and we gladly accommodate any special arrangements needed to make the children and parent comfortable.  If you specific parking arrangements, special requests or need space reserved for a sensory play group please call or email anytime.

We are open to hearing ideas about what you can bring to Art ala Carte.  We would love to add more school aged events to the calendar like painting techniques, caricatures etc.

We would also love to meet stay at home parents interested in volunteering at events!  Bring the kids, let them enjoy the fun or even help out as well!

Ideally we would love to connect with:

Artists for book signings and story times

Musicians willing to play for an hour

Knitting or crochet groups wanting to use the space

Photographers wanting to hang art or use the space for shoots

Private groups who would like to hold monthly events

Book clubs who would like to meet in the coffee shop

Non profit groups who can utilize the space for fundraisers and etc.

When children come to Art ala Carte, they run the show, they have full creative freedom to make their artistic vision come to life.  We are set up to have self service art bars which means THEY pick their supplies out, they come up with their projects and they make a mess.  As parents and adults we have limited ourselves and set unneccessary boundaries.  Our children have not yet built these and they shouldn’t for many years.  By giving your child freedom to create ANYTHING and not specify a project, they are building confidence and independence.  At Art ala Carte unless a question is specifically asked to an adult, little to no direction should be given to a child.  They are encouraged to make a mess and once their project is completed, it does not have to “look like something”.  NEVER ask your child what they made, drew or painted.  Leave the questions/statements open ended; “tell me about your project”, “how did you come up with this masterpiece?” Parents do not have to understand why taping 18 pipe cleaners to a cereal box and then painting it blue is art.

Your child is not behind if she colors her cow blue.  Never tell her cows are not blue.  This all comes in time and she will not go to college believing animals come in primary colors.  This is their time to build themselves up and let them express themselves.  If you feel the need to interject with lessons during project time; feel free to mix colors or cut out shapes.  Create your own project next to your child involving these lessons.  When you are done, write your child’s name on top and give it to them the way they address all their projects to you.  You would be amazed how happy this can make a child.  They equate time, energy and love spent on a project as a HUGE gift.

Lastly, let your child make a mess here.  This is their creative playground.  We have a chalk board wall, window markers and playdough table for a reason.  As long as you communicate that at AAC it is ok but not at home they will understand its not ok to go home and trash your rooms and walls.  Part of our job is to clean up after you and your family!