free family saturdays

Educational and interactive activities Saturdays this summer at the Artpark Amphitheater

June 19, 2021-August 28, 2021, from 12pm-4pm 

Summer is for families at Artpark, where afternoons are filled with creative hands-on discovery (arts and crafts, stories and workshops) and live performances for all ages. Did we mention that it's all FREE?!!

This year’s series presents Indigenous Ways of Knowing with interactive workshops, storytelling and teachings. 

A slew of educational fun activities for all ages; Treaty teachings & Wampum bracelets workshops, soap carvings, Sonic storytelling, Haudenosaunee dance performance, Corn Husk Doll workshop so much more!

 

Visitors will explore, discover and be part of the unique culture, traditions, and passed-down heritage of the People of Turtle Island at The Family Stage every Saturday. Talking Turtle Stories will kick off the season with Traditional Master Storyteller and Turtle Clan member of the Onondaga Nation Perry Ground, who will share several Haudenosaunee Stories which have been passed down from time immortal, with a very energetic, fun, engaging style and makes the audience part of the story experience.

This program is made possible with support from The John R. Oishei Foundation and First Niagara.

 

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Planned programs are listed below. Click on the event titles for more info:

Saturday, June 19, 2021: Art of Niagara and Onondaga

Free Paint: 12-4pm
Family Stage at 1pm and 3pm:
Traditional Master Storyteller, Perry Ground:

“Stories from the People of the Longhouse" traditional Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) legends

 

Saturday, June 26, 2021: Art of Clay

Pottery: 12-4pm Free Paint: 12-4pm Family Stage:

Soapstone Carving for Kids: Pre-registration is required and limited to 20 registrants per session.

Guests will learn the basic techniques of stone and antler sculpture from renown Antler Carver, Hayden Hanes. Sessions are: 1-2pm and 3-4pm

 

Saturday, July 3, 2021: Art of Paint

Pottery: 12-4pm
Free Paint: 12-4pm
Family Stage at 1pm-1:45pm and 3pm-3:45pm:

Acoustic Storytelling - Tonemah
Award winning Tuscarora singer-songwriter will share Native stories from his experiences and relationships he has made along his journey. His organic storytelling style has become his trademark. Tonemah's life experiences of growing up on, and off, reservations coupled with his professional undertakings have given Tonemah a truly unique perspective that he brings to his songwriting and stories.

 

Saturday, July 10, 2021: Art of Water

Workshops under the awnings:
Gyotaku Fish Prints, Boats that Float, Mermaids, Aquatic Wind socks
Pottery: 12-4pm
Free Paint: 12-4pm
Family Stage:
Antler and Bone Uses of the Haudenosaunee: Pre-registration is required and limited to 20 registrants per session.

Guests will learn the basic techniques of bone and antler sculpture from renown Antler Carver, Hayden Hanes.

Sessions are: 1-2pm and 3-4pm

 

Saturday, July 17, 2021: Art in Motion

Workshops under the awnings: Mobiles, Kites, Planes, Pin-wheels

Pottery: 12-4pm
Free Paint: 12-4pm

Family Stage:
Wampum Belts with Dr Richard Hamell
Display, history, demonstration and workshops: Two Row Wampum beading workshop.

Pre-registration is required and limited to 20 registrants per session. Sessions 12:30- 1:30 and 2:00 - 3:00pm

 

 

 

 

Saturday, July 24, 2021: Art illuminated

Workshops under the awnings:
"Stained Glass" windows, Cyannotypes, X-Rays
Pottery: 12-4pm

Free Paint: 12-4pm
Family Stage: 12:30-2:30pm - Kehala Smith: Corn Husk Doll workshop and teachings.

Pre-registration is required and limited to 20 registrants
3 -3:45pm - Art of Haudenosaunee Dance performance with Jordan Smith

 

Saturday, July 31, 2021: Art of Animals

Workshops under the awnings:
Paw Prints, jellyfish, birds that bobble

Pottery: 12-4pm

Free Paint: 12-4pm
Family Stage at 1pm and 3pm:
Traditional Master Storyteller Perry Ground: Haudenosaunee Stories: Tricky Fox and other Animal Tales & "Powerful Women"

 

Saturday, August 7, 2021: Art of Disguise

Workshops under the awnings:
Mustachio, Masquerade Masks, Glorious Glasses, Wearable accessories,
Pottery: 12-4pm
Free Paint: 12-4pm
Family Stage at 1pm and 3pm: Stone Carving Demonstration with Hayden Haynes

 

Saturday, August 14, 2021: Art of Sound

Workshops under the awnings:
Shakers, Music Makers, Wind Chimes
Pottery: 12-4pm

Free Paint: 12-4pm
Family Stage:
Wampum Belts display, Haudenosaunee Four Sacred Direction and Mother Earth beading workshop with Dr Richard Hamel.

Pre-registration is required and limited to 20 registrants per session.
Sessions 12:30- 1:30 and 2:00 - 3:00pm

 

Saturday, August 21, 2021: Art of Monsters

Workshops under the awnings:
Creature Planters, Monster Plush, Peek-a-boo puppets, toy box theater
Pottery: 12-4pm
Free Paint: 12-4pm
Pottery Lawn at 1pm and 3pm:
Traditional Master Storyteller Perry Ground: Stories from the Haudenosaunee " Life in a Longhouse Village & Hero and Heroine Tales

Cirque Barcode will perform at 5:30pm in the Emerald Grove

 

Saturday, August 28: Art of Nature

Workshops under the awnings:
Leaf prints, Sand plaster molds, pet rocks, walking sticks

Pottery: 12-4pm
Free Paint: 12-4pm
Family Stage:

Acoustic Storytelling - Tonemah

Award winning Tuscarora singer-songwriter will share Native stories from his experiences and relationships he has made along his journey. His organic storytelling style has become his trademark. Tonemah's life experiences of growing up on, and off, reservations coupled with his professional undertakings have given Tonemah a truly unique perspective that he brings to his songwriting and stories.