The Latest News

Fun News!

Yellow packets have arrived in ExYo kids mailboxes! 

It’s the last week for the “Around the World Dance Challenge” videos.  Send us YOUR videos by April 29th to info@exyo.org to be part of our virtual performance. 

Last week, guest artist Amanda Mena joined our singing group, Wes Sam Bruce served as an artist in residence and Cammie Griffin, STOMP performer continued to collaborate with the youth on rhythms that will be featured in our virtual performance. 

Our Come Together program for youth working virtually with staff on a 1-1 basis has been a big hit with more kids joining. This has been a source of support for youth and their families. Please contact info@exyo.org if you’re interested. 

Mark your calendars for our virtual performance scheduled on our original date of May 21, 2020. This will feature many of our youth’s talents and guest artists including STOMP, Ricky Duran from the Voice and Amanda Mena from America’s Got Talent and Berklee School of Music.  All artwork and projects generated will be included in this first time virtual performance. Stay tuned for more details!

MONDAY: Weekly Art Prompt

Create a Self-Portrait Masterpiece for our Art Gallery!

Use the facial features to create a self-portrait within the frame! ExYo Youth – find this page in your packet. Grab some markers/paints, scissors and glue to get collaging!

• Use markers or paint to draw a head shape for your features to fit on
• Cut out and glue on any of the eyes, mouths and noses onto the face
• Add hair, ears and any accessories you like!
• Color in the frame
• Add your name or title of the piece in the bottom rectangle
• Send us your self-portrait to info@exyo.org so we can include it in our Virtual Art Gallery.

Click HERE to download Create a Masterpiece template in Google Drive 

TUESDAY: Artist Video

Magazine Portraits with Samm

Break free from the frame and play around with collaging to create multiple portraits, characters (or even scenes!) using a variety of facial features and magazine clippings. Follow along with EXYO artist Samm as she walks you through how to do a magazine collage portrait! 

Magazine Portraits Materials: 

• Old Magazines, preferably ones with portraits of people
• Scissors
• Glue
• Markers or writing utensils

Click HERE for link to Magazine Portraits Tutorial

WEDNESDAY: Virtual Visit

Getty Museum: Recreate a Classic

Today we encourage you to check out the huge college of art that the Getty Museum has to offer! Our friends at the Getty Museum have challenged people all over the world to recreate a work of art with materials at home! Some of the Express Yourself artists have already given it a shot:

What do you think? Can you help us show @gettymuseum how creative you are?

Click HERE for link to Getty Museum

Here’s how to participate: 

Step 1:  Choose your favorite artwork

Step 2: Find three things lying around 

Step 3: Recreate the artwork with those items

Step 4: Take a picture! Send it to info@exyo.org

Thursday: Guest Artist Video

African Drumming with Master Drummer Joh Camara

Ever wanted to try African drumming? Well here’s your chance! Master Drummer Joh Camara from Mali is here to introduce you to traditional rhythms in a quick call & response tutorial.

Find a drum, a pot, a box or anything you can safely hit and play along with Joh!

Click HERE for link to African Drumming with Joh

Additional Creative Resources

Express Yourself Guest Artist: Wes Sam Bruce. 

Check out Wes Sam Bruce’s “Quarantine Dreams” on his website for “art-making/writing prompts, scavenger hunts, films from The Wonder Sound – Adventure Forest -WTQL, meditations, zines, downloadable PDFs and lots more!

Click HERE for link to Wes Sam Bruce’s website

Looking for more IMAGINE NATION Station activities? Find them all here!

Week 1: Feel ALIVE! with Dancing, Marble Paper, VanGogh Museum and Guest Artist Amanda Mena. Click HERE for WEEK 1

Week 2: ILLUMINATE with Golden Light Meditation, Mandalas, Sao Palo Museum, and Guests Artist Ricky Duran. Click HERE for WEEK 2

Week 3: Create a Face, Glittery Rainbow Meditation, Mandalas, National Museum of Modern & Contemporary Art, and a Puppet Show. Click HERE for Week 3

Week 4: Zentagling, Connect the Dots, Grand Canyon National Park, and the Around the World Dance Challenge. Click HERE for Week 4 

Week 5: We get wild with Flowers and Leaves, Physical Imagination Journey, Virtual Zoo Visits, and a jungle-themed Puppet Show. Click HERE for Week 5

Week 7: Inner Super Hero Meditation, Super Hero self Puppet, Rhythms with STOMP, Origami Frogs. Click HERE for Week 7

Week 8: Create your own Island, Geometric Birds, Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, and Bennett the Puppet visits the Museum. Click HERE for Week 8

Week 9: Show Week! Create your own Pizza, African Drumming with Joh, River Journey with Erin, and ExYo Mentor Christian Cooking Video. Click HERE for Week 9

Week 10: Time for Celebration! EXYO “Come Together” responses, create your own party hats and homemade cupcakes with Mentor Christian! Click HERE for Week 10

Creativity Continues: Take a look at ExYo Youth artwork made from home: Click HERE to see youth art! 

Come Together! Virtual Performance: Take a look at how our youth celebrated the show! Click HERE to see pure kid joy!