Children invited to create canvases for MLT's outdoor art exhibit

Marblehead Little Theatre extends a special invitation to children and their families to create their own individual canvases for display on the façade of the MLT Firehouse in Phase 2 of MLT’s outdoor art installation.

Up to 27 children’s individual canvases will be sewn into banners to replace three of the seven canvases created by artist-in-residence Jeremy Barnett now on display in Phase 1 of the installation.

“Phase 2 for children is part of MLT’s mission of community engagement and arts education and gives young people a chance to use simple shapes and bold colors to express and celebrate their own strong, expressive feelings,” Barnett said.

The Phase 2 take-home kits will be available for pick-up on Monday, July 20, from Noon to 4 p.m. on the MLT Firehouse Terrace at 12 School Street. The kits include one pre-measured and primed 24-inch by 36-inch wide piece of canvas, a set of red, yellow, green, blue, brown and white latex paints and instructions with a link to instructional videos on the MLT website.

The young artists must provide their own application tools, “but anything from brooms, paint brushes, to sponges and even a finger-painting technique can be used,” Barnett said. “No experience is necessary. The only requirement is that the young artists have the courage and desire to share their expressions with the public.”

To participate, children and their families must sign-up at https://forms.gle/sZTdBoBrkSNnd1Ck6.

Participation is limited to 27 children.

Everyone must wear a mask and maintain proper social distancing at all times during pick-up.

“These take-home kits encourage children and their families to create their own works of art,” Barnett said. “The videos will offer some ideas of how children might get started, but the work ultimately will be up to the young artists.”

Completed canvases must be returned to the MLT vestibule by the final and firm due date of Monday, July 27 at 5 p.m., allowing the children one week to complete their canvases and five days for Barnett to piece the banners together.

Immediately following the due date, the individual canvases will be permanently sewn together to create the Phase 2 banners. These will be displayed on the Firehouse façade from August 1 through August 31. The artwork will become the property of Marblehead Little Theatre until the banners find an appropriate permanent home.

“Phase 2 allows children and their families to engage in a communal project while still maintaining distance,” Barnett said. “When assembled and displayed, it is hoped the paintings will revive the communal spirit of the arts in Marblehead and serve as a reminder that we are still a community, even when separated.”

For more information about Phase 2, contact Marblehead Little Theatre at 781-910-0222 or at info@mltlive.org. For more information about MLT’s Phase 1 Art Installation and about Barnett, visit mltlive.org.