Theater & Russian Writers
I had a high school English teacher, Mr. W. who taught me how to love the dark Russian writers. His introduction lecture to Crime and Punishment was to show us, with the book held high, how much time was dedicated to the crime, and how much was consumed by the punishment. I’ll save you the suspense- the crime is about ¼ of the book. Punishment inevitably lasts longer.
Mr. W showed us how to find small moments of pride, if not joy, through Solzenhitzen’s Ivan Denisovich in a Siberian labor camp. How small acts, removing one’s hat before a meal no matter how meager, show our humanity. Even in desperate times we have a choice to learn towards kindness, towards self respect. This class led me to study Russian language via the 90s version of “distance learning”: a camcorder and giant TVs mounted on the wall showing high school classrooms from all over the state. The depth of language and humanity drew me in then, and still does now 30 years later. (English teachers- I bow down to you).
Mr. W was also the director of both middle and high school plays and musicals. He stated that if a show was good, if the students dug deep and put in their all he’d know after the performance by one tell-tale sign: he’d have tears in his eyes as the curtain closed. He’d be moved by the profound art we all would have made. We felt the pressure, the need to make something beautiful and live up to that high bar.
I used to think it was so ridiculous, so incredibly corny how adults would cry at events and performances. What is so sad, so moving about a musical, well-done though it might have been? Yet I was moved by classic literature.
This weekend, like so many Bostonians over these months, I found myself watching Hamilton in the Opera House with my oldest son. These actors, young and old, singing their hearts out to people who likely knew the songs and script nearly as well as they. The power in being surrounded by people who are, I imagine, living a dream, is almost unbearable.
Afterward, we wandered in and around “The Embrace” and talked about the piece, it’s meaning, the controversy. We examined the casting and looked for the seams (spoiler: there are none, the artists are masters of their craft). We felt the power of being held by a movement, a dedication, a drive more powerful than ourselves.
These last few years, I’ve watched this son explore the joys of performance, art that lasts just a few hours. Now, every single time, whether it’s middle schoolers with changing voices or professionals in opera houses, long before the curtain closes there are always tears in my eyes. I’ve grown up and realized that artwork of any medium, that is full of heart and soul and some inner depth, moves us to tears so very often. Perhaps the artists are telling a part of their own story through a script or clay, a nod at shared humanity just like the Russian greats. There’s nothing but beauty in that.
As far as I know, every time a play was put on in that small rural New England high school, Mr. W. shed tears.
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February Break Classes!
Wednesday February 22
Gelatin Printing
10am - 12pm
Ages 5 - 8
Print the morning away with these fun, easy-to-make prints! Kids will get ample opportunity to make several prints and designs. Fun for all!
Tie Dye Extravaganza
1pm - 3pm
Ages 9 - 12
You bring it, we dye it! We’ll turn your simple white items into something fabulous and fun to use! Shorts, t-shirts, tank-tops, or hand towels! We’ll provide small towels, but we strongly encourage students to bring their own items to design.
Thursday February 23
Gnome Home & Fairy House Creation
10am - 12pm
Ages 5 - 8
This morning we will be creating decorative mason jar homes for fantastical creatures! Using a variety of materials, students will use their creativity and imagination to bring their little houses to life! At the end of class, each child will have a unique creation to take home with them.
Wheel Explorations
1pm - 3pm
Ages 9 - 12
We will spend this afternoon exploring the potters wheel. This class is ideal for beginners who would like to try their hand at a new technique for creation, while having fun and getting messy in the studio!
Students will not be able to keep nor fire any work they make during this class.
Sign up For February Break Classes here!
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April - June 2022 Classes are LIVE!
We have a ton of options, the return of some fan-favorites at your request (3D Game Design, I’m looking at you!).
See here for drawing, painting, writing, 3D printer classes, and more.
See here for ceramics classes!
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Summer Camp 2023
We hope you’ll join us this summer at Create.
Summer Sibling discount!
We will offer a $25 discount to siblings who sign up for the same week of camp. Please email us after sign-up to get the credit.
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Summer 2023 Program Scholarships
We will offer a total of three full scholarships and four partial scholarships this summer.
We are actively seeking those who need scholarships- please spread the news to your communities!
The following are reserved for those who identify as POC.
2 full scholarship
2 partial scholarships
Scholarships are for those who have a self-determined genuine need. If you might be unable to afford these camps without this financial support, these scholarships are for you.
Please email us to request a scholarship. We do not require financial details nor explanation. Please let us know if you identify as a person of color.
When you email us, please let us know which week you’d like and how much you’re able to contribute (if anything).
We will compile all requests and make decisions in early February.
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Empty Bowls 2023 is Coming Your Way!
See here for more information!
Would you like to volunteer during the event? Sign up here!