Weekend family drop-in activities are set to return later this month to the Judith and Norman Alix Art Gallery in downtown Sarnia.
The weekly Saturday sessions will begin Jan. 28 and run from 1 pm to 3 pm
Weekend drop-in art programs for families were held at the gallery since it opened at its current location at the corner of Christina and Lochiel streets, and before when the county-run public art gallery was in the former Bayside Centre, said Rose Canino, exhibition support and education co-ordinator with the gallery.
They had been held on Sundays before the program paused because of pandemic restrictions.
Since the gallery isn’t open Sundays during part of the year, the decision was made to move the re-started programs to Saturday, she said.
Anywhere from 10 to 40 families attended each week in the past, Canino said.
“We have an art activity that is suitable for families and all ages,” she said.
“Usually, we try to keep the activity to about 20 minutes” and families can drop in any time between 1 pm and 3 pm
The activities are free. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Families attending the art activity often also visit the exhibitions in the gallery, Canino said.
“It’s our intention to connect the activities to the art exhibition.”
The first activity is called Circuit Trees and will run through Feb. 25.
Canino said it’s inspired by a piece of art by the artist Skawennati that is part of a current exhibition, from Sky World to Cyberspace.
Families will be able to create an electrical circuit with copper tape on paper that will be illuminated in the form of a tree, Canino said.
The same activity will be offered each Saturday for a month.
“I think it’s just a great opportunity to introduce art to all ages,” Canino said.