What an amazing weekend we've had here at Orange Easel!

On the evening of April 21st, we gathered at the Belvoir Winery to enjoy some incredible art and celebrate the-even-more incredible ARTISTS who created it.

Our 2023-24 Student Art Show was a biggest and BEST one yet!
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THANK YOU artists for having the courage to share your art with the world.
THANK YOU parents and families for sharing those artists with us every week.
THANK YOU Orange Easel team for all your many hours these past week to get ready and for giving up your weekend to make it happen.
THANK YOU Orange Easel spouses and kids who *also* pitched in to help set up and take down everything. 
THANK YOU Belvoir Winery for the use of your ballroom and for taking such good care of our families.

Continue reading to find a list of our award winners, a list of all of our artists who exhibited this year, and a photo gallery from the event.

All artwork was judged by a team of Orange Easel instructors on originality, technique, composition, presentation, and the artist statement.  1st, 2nd, and 3rd place ribbons were award for five different categories in all our art groups.

** indicates Best in Show award winner
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1st Place: Cooper W. (Preschool) - Splat
2nd Place: Edgar B. (Preschool) - Egg
3rd Place: Aaron M. (Preschool) - Easter egg basket
3rd Place: Hope M. (Preschool) - Barbie stars

1st Place: Lily C. (K/1st Grade) - Cat in Bloom
2nd Place: Noelle G. (K/1st Grade) - Flowers of the Bloom
3rd Place: Ethan A. (K/1st Grade) - Owl family

1st Place: Evelyn S. (2nd/3rd Grade) - Hearts
2nd Place: Max R. (2nd/3rd Grade) - The Sunset Fox
3rd Place: Caroline J. (2nd/3rd Grade) - Sunny day

1st Place: Evelyn p. (4th/5th Grade) - The seer
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1st Place: RJ M. (6th/7th Grade) - Island Night

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1st Place: Felicity B. (K/1st Grade) - Goldie
2nd Place: Noah V. (K/1st Grade) - Bird

1st Place: Axel L. (2nd/3rd Grade) - Titanic
2nd Place: Isaac h. (2nd/3rd Grade) - The Chinese Dragon
3rd Place: Reardon W. (2nd/3rd Grade) - Realistic Birdie

1st Place: Matthew C. (4th/5th Grade) - Soaring Creativity

​1st Place: Fenly S. (6th/7th Grade) - Rocky the Dinosaur

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1st Place: Colt C. (Preschool) - Colt Portrait
2nd Place: Layla W. (Preschool) - Rocketship in Outer Space
3rd Place: Westin W. (Preschool) - A baseball game

1st Place: Olivia B. (K/1st Grade) - It's a Robot
2nd Place: Grace W. (K/1st Grade) - Sunset
3rd Place: Nora R. (K/1st Grade) - Lit Bedroom

1st Place: Hendrix H. (2nd/3rd Grade) - The Goatkeeper
2nd Place: Evanne M. (2nd/3rd Grade) - Beach walk
3rd Place: Piper N. (2nd/3rd Grade) - The fox sitting in the grass

1st Place: Olivia V. (4th/5th Grade) - City skater**
2nd Place: Anabell M. (4th/5th Grade) - Unicorn Skull
3rd Place: Bailey G. (4th/5th Grade) - Rainbow Sherbet

1st Place: Claire B. (6th/7th Grade) - Juno's Dessert Special
2nd Place: Brynna S. (6th/7th Grade) - Nightlife selfie
3rd Place: Isla K. (6th/7th Grade) - Owl mask

​1st Place: Isabela H. (8th-12th Grade) - Art by Random Spinningwheel
2nd Place: Lilyanna B. (8th-12th Grade) - The Campaign
3rd Place: Indiera G. (8th-12th Grade) - Podcast date
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1st Place: Lyla M. (K/1st Grade) - The fish and the river

1st Place: Sam K. (2nd/3rd Grade) - "Ostrich" the Peacock
2nd Place: Celeste D. (2nd/3rd Grade) - Flower garden full of beauty
3rd Place: Sammy G. (2nd/3rd Grade) - The Bonsai

1st Place: Leslie S. (4th/5th Grade) - Vital
2nd Place: Claire M. (4th/5th Grade) - Which Way?
3rd Place: Isabella W. (4th/5th Grade) - Space flower

1st Place: Millie K. (6th/7th Grade) - What a Wonderland
2nd Place: James C. (6th/7th Grade) - Mushroom Town
3rd Place: Harper B. (6th/7th Grade) - Christ The Redeemer

​1st Place: Ella C. (8th-12th Grade) - Milo
2nd Place: Will H. (8th-12th Grade) - So much (for) stardust
3rd Place: Amber G. (8th-12th Grade) - Angles of Amber

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1st Place: Jackson R. (Preschool) - Jackson’s Dot Masterpiece
2nd Place: Charlotte E. (Preschool) - Me! / The Wicked Witch
3rd Place: Mateo T. (Preschool) - Heart
3rd Place: Safa A. (Preschool) - Dinosaur Hunt

1st Place: Milana W. (K/1st Grade) - 12 cats
2nd Place: Ursa V. (K/1st Grade) - A Girl In The Snow
3rd Place: Grey G. (K/1st Grade) - AJ (because he is my doggie in heaven)

1st Place: Oliver B. (2nd/3rd Grade) - Oliver’s Plants
2nd Place: Finley R. (2nd/3rd Grade) - Jasper
3rd Place: Tanner F. (2nd/3rd Grade) - The haunted mansion

1st Place: Delaney C. (4th/5th Grade) - Pankcake Snake
2nd Place: Natalie E. (4th/5th Grade) - Fox with Boba
3rd Place: Ellis D. (4th/5th Grade) - Mushroom Love

1st Place: Elliana A. (6th/7th Grade) - Friendship
2nd Place: Taylor U. (6th/7th Grade) - The over view
3rd Place: Noah I. (6th/7th Grade) - Once Upon A Goat Farm

​1st Place: Averie D. (8th-12th Grade) - Music of the great wave
2nd Place: Sophie M. (8th-12th Grade) - Arlene
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Listed alphabetically with the title of their artwork and the catagory of their entry. 
*indicates first show
~ indicates Junior Staff

​Aaron M.* - Easter egg basket (2D Mixed Media & Printmaking)
Aila R. - Snowy Forest (Painting)
AJ G.* - Chess (Illustrative Drawing)
Allison A.* - Cat Girl Rockstar (Illustrative Drawing)
Allison L.* - The Truth About Wendy poster (Illustrative Drawing)
~Amber G. - Angles of Amber (Realistic Drawing)
Anabell M.* - Unicorn Skull (Illustrative Drawing)
Andrew R. - Travis the Turtle (Realistic Drawing)
Ann L. - Blue Bird Sunset (Realistic Drawing)
Archie R.* - Dolphin jumping out of water (Realistic Drawing)
Arya Q.* - Midnight Love (Painting)
Autumn H.* - Beauty In The Wilderness (Illustrative Drawing)
~Averie D. - Music of the great wave (Painting)
Axel L.* - Titanic (3D Mixed Media & Sculpture)
Bailey B. - Donuts for Bob (Realistic Drawing)
Bailey G.* - Rainbow Sherbet (Illustrative Drawing)
Briley B.* - Great horned owl (Realistic Drawing)
Brynna S.* - Nightlife selfie (Illustrative Drawing)
Caroline B.* - A Random Galaxy and a 3D Eye (Illustrative Drawing)
Caroline J. - Sunny day (2D Mixed Media & Printmaking)
Caroline L.* - Ivy and Fern (Illustrative Drawing)
Celeste D.* - Flower garden full of beauty (Realistic Drawing)
Chandler S.* - Phoenix - Bird of Fire! (Illustrative Drawing)
Charlie G.* - Elouise and Eddie (Illustrative Drawing)
Charlotte B. - Flower plant (Painting)
Charlotte B. - Fruits, Veggies and Shapes (Painting)
Charlotte E.* - Me! / The Wicked Witch (Painting)
~Claire B. - Juno's Dessert Special (Illustrative Drawing)
Claire G.* - Fluffy Attack (Illustrative Drawing)
Claire M.* - Which Way? (Realistic Drawing)
~Clare F. - Mind (Illustrative Drawing)
Cole D. - Breakfast at McDonalds (Painting)
Colt C.* - Colt Portrait (Illustrative Drawing)
Cooper W. - Splat (2D Mixed Media & Printmaking)
Cora S. - After Rain (Painting)
Deklin B.* - Into The Art-averse (Illustrative Drawing)
Delaney C. - Pankcake Snake (Painting)
Delilah G.* - Night Of The Loving Ghost (Illustrative Drawing)
Eden H.* - Bluebird (3D Mixed Media & Sculpture)
Edgar B.* - Egg (2D Mixed Media & Printmaking)
Eleanor A. - The Caricature (Illustrative Drawing)
Eleanor B. - I am hopeful (Realistic Drawing)
Eli P. - Spiderman No Way Home (Realistic Drawing)
Elise D. - The Big Toucan (2D Mixed Media & Printmaking)
Elizabeth J. - Pink Tree Forest (Painting)
~Ella C. -  Milo (Realistic Drawing)
Elliana A. - Friendship (Painting)
Elliot P.* - Grey Kitty’s 1st School Picture (Painting)
Ellis D.* - Mushroom Love (Painting)
Emercyn B.* - Coco (Painting)
Emery R. - Waterfall (Illustrative Drawing)
Ethan A.* - Owl family (2D Mixed Media & Printmaking)
Evanne M.* - Beach walk (Illustrative Drawing)
Evelyn M.* - Potion Shop (Illustrative Drawing)
Evelyn p.* - The seer (2D Mixed Media & Printmaking)
Evelyn S.* - Hearts (2D Mixed Media & Printmaking)
Felicity B.* - Goldie (3D Mixed Media & Sculpture)
Felicity H. - Just hanging with my peeps (Painting)
Fenly S. - Rocky the Dinosaur (3D Mixed Media & Sculpture)
Fidela K.* - Crazy Crayon (Realistic Drawing)
Finley R. - Jasper (Painting)
Freya S.* - You (Realistic Drawing)
Freya S.* - Fun Colors (Painting)
Giovana R.* - Boba Panda (Illustrative Drawing)
Grace S.* - Celia (Illustrative Drawing)
Grace W.* - Sunset (Illustrative Drawing)
Grey G. - AJ (because he is my doggie in heaven) (Painting)
Haleigh W. - Bentley (Painting)
Hallie N.* - Night Memories (Realistic Drawing)
Harper B.* - Christ The Redeemer (Realistic Drawing)
Harper H.* - Unicorn Sunset (Illustrative Drawing)
Hazel L.* - Galaxy City (2D Mixed Media & Printmaking)
Hazel S.* - Ghosty Dies (Painting)
Hendrix H. - The Goatkeeper (Illustrative Drawing)
Holland L.* - Peace (Realistic Drawing)
Hope B.* - The Tree (Realistic Drawing)
Hope M.* - Barbie stars (2D Mixed Media & Printmaking)
Hugh B.* - Poké World (Illustrative Drawing)
Indiera G. - Podcast date (Illustrative Drawing)
Iris L.* - Butterfly flower (Painting)
Isaac h.* - The Chinese Dragon (3D Mixed Media & Sculpture)
Isabela H. - Art by Random Spinningwheel (Illustrative Drawing)
Isabella W.* - Space flower (Realistic Drawing)
Isla K. - Owl mask (Illustrative Drawing)
Jack P.* - Eradication (Illustrative Drawing)
Jackson R.* - Jackson’s Dot Masterpiece (Painting)
James C. - Mushroom Town (Realistic Drawing)
~Jocelyn R. - Clouds of Sorrow (Realistic Drawing)
Joe F. - Waterfalls (Realistic Drawing)
Johanna E. - Pug in space (Painting)
Katie C.* - Silly City (2D Mixed Media & Printmaking)
Katy C.* - Breakup (Illustrative Drawing)
Keeley M.* - Flight (Illustrative Drawing)
Kelsey B.* - Rainbow art (Illustrative Drawing)
Kendall S.* - Unicorn on the Moutains (2D Mixed Media & Printmaking)
Kya G. - Tulip Sunset (Illustrative Drawing)
Laura J. - Forest Floor (3D Mixed Media & Sculpture)
Lauren M. - Helen Keller (Realistic Drawing)
Layla W.* - Rocketship in Outer Space (Illustrative Drawing)
Lennon A. - Different Versions of Me! (Illustrative Drawing)
Leslie S. - Vital (Realistic Drawing)
Lila M.* - Radio Play (Illustrative Drawing)
Lillian M.* - October Cat (Painting)
Lily C. - Cat in Bloom (2D Mixed Media & Printmaking)
Lily G.* - Puppy World (Realistic Drawing)
Lilyanna B.* - The Campaign (Illustrative Drawing)
Lucy R.* - The Jungle Friends (Illustrative Drawing)
Lyla M.* - The fish and the river (Realistic Drawing)
Maddie S.* - A Wolfarous Family (Illustrative Drawing)
Madison M. - The Mountains (Realistic Drawing)
Mariella F. - The Beach Sunset (Realistic Drawing)
Mary R.* - Wavy Robot (Illustrative Drawing)
Mateo T.* - Heart (Painting)
Matthew C. - Soaring Creativity (3D Mixed Media & Sculpture)
Max R. - The Sunset Fox (2D Mixed Media & Printmaking)
Mia c.* - Greenwood (Illustrative Drawing)
Milana W. - 12 cats (Painting)
Miles B.* - Kitty Cuteness (Illustrative Drawing)
Millie K. - What a Wonderland (Realistic Drawing)
Millie R. - Destiny (Illustrative Drawing)
Miss G. - Jurassic Classic (Painting)
Miss M. - Photographic Process (2D Mixed Media & Printmaking)
Miss S.* - Bloom (3D Mixed Media & Sculpture)
Monroe C. - Lightening Bird (2D Mixed Media & Printmaking)
Murphy S.* - The old tree (Painting)
Nancy M. - Little Houses (Painting)
Natalie E. - Fox with Boba (Painting)
Natileena W.* - Glaxy Girl (Realistic Drawing)
Nicholas J.* - Chains of Color (2D Mixed Media & Printmaking)
Nima A.* - Lovely Hearts (Painting)
Noah H. - Rail It! (Illustrative Drawing)
Noah I.* - Once Upon A Goat Farm (Painting)
Noah V.* - Bird (3D Mixed Media & Sculpture)
Noelle G. - Flowers of the Bloom (2D Mixed Media & Printmaking)
Nora R.* - Lit Bedroom (Illustrative Drawing)
Norah S. - Sunset Dance (Illustrative Drawing)
Oliver B. - Oliver’s Plants (Painting)
Olivia B. - It's a Robot (Illustrative Drawing)
Olivia V. - City skater (Illustrative Drawing)
Owen B.* - Destroyer of Space (Illustrative Drawing)
Paisley B. - The Spoiled Cat (Illustrative Drawing)
Perrie C. - Red And Gray Graphic Novel, Cover & Prologue (Illustrative Drawing)
Peyton N. - Calm Chaos (Realistic Drawing)
Piper .* - Piper & the Sunset (Painting)
Piper N. - The fox sitting in the grass (Illustrative Drawing)
Poppy M.* - Pinky (2D Mixed Media & Printmaking)
Quinn Z.* - Limitless Imagination (Illustrative Drawing)
Rachel H.* - War of Dark Falls (Illustrative Drawing)
Raegan D.* - Weird Galaxy (Painting)
Raeglan W. - Cheese City (2D Mixed Media & Printmaking)
Reagan M.* - The Plant (Painting)
Reardon W. - Realistic Birdie (3D Mixed Media & Sculpture)
Ren M.* - Imagination (2D Mixed Media & Printmaking)
~RJ M.* - Island Night (2D Mixed Media & Printmaking)
Ruby R. - All About Ruby (Painting)
Safa A.* - Dinosaur Hunt (Painting)
Sam K.* - "Ostrich" the Peacock (Realistic Drawing)
Sammy G. - The Bonsai (Realistic Drawing)
~Sophie M. - Arlene (Painting)
Stella R.* - Peaches Portrait (Painting)
Tanner F.* - The haunted mansion (Painting)
Tara Lea G.. - Starry Night (Illustrative Drawing)
Taylor U. - The over view (Painting)
Thane J.* - Mansion (2D Mixed Media & Printmaking)
Theodore C.* - Forest Fox (Realistic Drawing)
Theodore C.* - Sleepy Times (Illustrative Drawing)
Tom F. - Amulet Town (Painting)
Ursa V.* - A Girl In The Snow (Painting)
Vala R.* - Happy Little Dinos (Illustrative Drawing)
Van B. - Skipper (Painting)
Vienna P. - Dragon Fight (Realistic Drawing)
Vivienne B. - Eye of the Mushroom (Illustrative Drawing)
Wallace K.* - Rainbow Magic (2D Mixed Media & Printmaking)
Westin W.* - A baseball game (Illustrative Drawing)
Will H.* - So much (for) stardust (Realistic Drawing)
Yohan J.* - Gothem Night (Painting)
Zoe J.* - Colorful (Painting)

We created characters from plasticine clay, then designed a "set" (or two!), and THEN crafted a story.  Finally we put it all together into a short film.  
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Thanks for an amazing week, artists!


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We used plasticine clay to create our characters and a combination of painted backgrounds and "found" items for props to set the scene.  

We end our workshop with a movie screening and popcorn!

This class was broadcasted live on our facebook page and live on Zoom with our online students.  

Our Creation Nation Art Club offers LIVE online classes JUST like this one!  It's only $39 per month to get access to all the live classes AND their recordings.  

Follow our Youtube channel for more art tutorials, teacher tips, and art project ideas.

Check out the cool things we can do with paper to make it stand up!
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In our video tutorial, I went through a bunch of different techniques and ended up with this really cool reference board on my table!
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If you try this out at home, I'd love to see pictures!  

Planning ahead to put more effort into unplugging and just being together, exploring different activities, and trying new things helps you as a parent feel more available and relaxed, and gives you the ability to be fully engaged with your child. It is a tremendous freedom. We've done the planning for you, so enjoy our list of simple  summer crafts and projects. You can set them up in the morning before the kids arise, or before you go to bed, so everything is ready to go when you wake up. I'm also including  a printable calendar for your fridge or memo board, putting the ideas  right at your fingertips. For more fun projects and crafts,  sign up for our email list below:

By simply collecting a few pinecones, rocks, pieces of mulch, leaves, sticks, or whatever you can find in your yard or near your home, your kids can create some cute little critters of their very own. You can do this craft on a campout, or at home.

In this day and age, many kids have never even heard of classic crafts such as the God's Eye. You only need yarn and two sticks to get your kids unplugged and crafting away!

Your kids can create their own special artwork with items you have at home. They'll have a blast swirling and dipping masterful marbled paper creations.

Writing secret messages, pretending to be spies...what could be cooler? Today's activity will have the kids' imaginations soaring as they make invisible ink!

​Certainly one of the cooler things to come out of the 60's and 70's, the lava lamp has captivated for decades. Now, your child can make one with only five supplies you probably already have in your house. Groovy!

Nothing captures a child's attention quicker or holds it longer than playing with bubbles. Put a twist on it with this colorful  rainbow bubbles art project.

This takes sidewalk chalk to a whole other level. Dust free, no scraping sounds, smooth application.....it's a chalk art dream!

If it's hot where you are, give this cool chalk a try! The kids will love making and using this unique ice chalk!

​Parents, you'll love this versatile activity for the kids. Not only will they make the
​jumping origami frogs, but there are so many games to play with them once they're finished! 

A STEM project that will not only get the little ones creative and stimulate their minds, but it will also wow everyone with the end result. You'll never look at bubbles the same way after you see the incredible shapes and sizes made by the 3D bubble wands!

Bright colors, explosions, glitter, a contained mess....there's no better way to make a volcano than this! Part science and part art, this is a great activity to start the day.

Even if your kids are scared of the loud noises that accompany fireworks, they will LOVE this science craft. You will be astounded by the display put on by the fireworks in a glass, and the kids will want to set them off over and over again!

Parents taking time to get creative with their children is a topic I am VERY passionate about. I have firsthand experience with the benefits reaped by children who are exposed to the world of art and crafting activities. With technology gaining more and more prominence in our lives, parents taking the initiative to bring art related activities to their children is more important than ever. 

I hope these 30 art invitations give you and your children memories you both can treasure for years to come.

JUNE:
Painting with Bubbles
Carving Custom Stamps
Dip-dying with Chalk
Pour Painting
Faux Stained-Glass Lanterns
Sewing a pillowcase
Shaving cream prints
liquid chalk paint
Acrylic Ink Cacti
Origami
Friendship Bracelets
Bubble wands and bubble solution 
stick art
Stars and Stripes Tie Dye
Clay coil bowls
​Tie Dye Tshirts
Sidewalk paint recipe
paper lanterns
Polymer Clay Figurines
Watercolor Techniques

JULY
Butterfly and Dragon Wings - part 1
Butterfly and Dragon Wings - part 2
Butterfly and Dragon Wings - part 3
Lettering
DIY Stamps with wine corks
Color Field Paintings
Hand knitting
Watercolor on Wood
Flower Pressing Art

AUGUST
Rainbow Ice
Sewing - drawstring backpack
Chalk pastel sea creatures
Charcoal gesture drawings