Second Saturday Family Arts Day

Second Saturday Family Arts Day offers activities for youth and families including performances, hands-on arts projects, & interactive storytelling.

Join us each second Saturday from 2 to 4 pm
FREE ADMISSION

SSFAD is sponsored by the following: Schmidbauer Lumber Company, Living Education & Arts Foundation, AT&T, California Arts Council State Local Partner Program, Mel & Grace McLean Foundation, Sidney Stern Memorial Trust & US Bank

Polly the Pink Panda and Trinity Ballet Academy

Polly the Pink Panda, the lead character in a delightful new instructional ballet video for children ages 3-6 developed by Greta Leverett, director of the Trinity Ballet Academy of McKinleyville, introduces Family Arts Day participants to a pre-ballet level class with two of her dancing assistants (students of the Trinity Ballet Academy).  The program begins with an introduction to basic ballet steps in which children may try them out alongside Polly.  The steps are simple and age appropriate.  Accompanied by lovely classical music, the movements are constructed to help children develop grace, flexibility and coordination, while having a great time in Polly the Pink Panda's "Ballet Class.”  Following instruction, participants enjoy a performance by Polly’s assistants, and finally children are invited to participate in a free dance with the young performers. Family Arts Day concludes with art activities in the youth classroom.  In celebration of Humboldt Green Week, all art projects focus on creative reuse.

Shadow Puppet Theater

Sean Powers has been working in Humboldt County as a story-teller, illustrator and musician for twenty years and has been performing shadow puppets since 1996.  In addition to Shadow Puppets, Sean hand-builds his own paper and wooden puppets and has won awards for his wood carvings. Sean has performed at over 60 different schools, libraries and theatres throughout northern California. He has created ten different shadow plays based on stories from around the world.  Currently he is working on shadow puppet films and will be completing his third short shadow puppet film, which will eventually be translated into Spanish, Mandarin, and many other languages as a learning tool. Following a presentation of Sean’s Shadow Puppet Theater, Family Arts Day participants have the opportunity to create shadow puppets of their own!

Humboldt State University Music Academy

Join the Humboldt State University Music Academy for a special presentation of the Humboldt Fiddlers, Flute Ensemble, and Musical Theater group.  Following the performances, Family Arts Day participants view the Melvin Schuler and Edward Oliver African Collection on display, and finally create artful instruments using a variety of materials.