The Foundry Art Centre proudly presents 2nd Thursdays: Living Art, a series of free art-making events that highlights the importance of art to each person's well-being and the unlimited possibilities that nature supplies to be creative! Each week will feature a building block of life that is a cultural, physical, or mental necessity for life. Local artists will lead art-making activities around these themes for everyone to enjoy and participate in.

June 8, 2017 | 2nd Thursday: Living Art - IMAGINATION

We're kicking off the 2nd Thursday season by firing up our imaginations! We will get creative by using natural materials that are not typically considered when creating art, like grass, corn husks, branches, and more plant materials. Local artists will lead visitors in other art-making activities that will spark imaginations.

July 13, 2017 | 2nd Thursday: Living Art - ELEMENTS

The four elements - fire, wind, water, and earth - will inspire us as we create fiber art using materials from the earth, water to transfer pigment, air to dry the work, and sun to heat and set the natural dyes. Local artists will harness the power of the elements to lead participants in creating their own works of art.

August 10, 2017 | 2nd Thursday: Living Art - LANGUAGE

August is all about communication as the Foundry Art Centre presents an exhibition of word-centric artwork in Context II and the first ever Arts & Literary Festival will take place on August 26, 2017, in partnership with the St. Charles City Country Library. Dig into art history and learn how different plants within artwork tell the viewer more about what they're seeing using symbolism and representation. Communicate like never before using your creativity!

September 14, 2017 | 2nd Thursday: Living Art - HOME

There's just no place like home. At this 2nd Thursday, we'll explore what home may be and all its meanings as we create a piece of artwork that reminds us of a home we all share: earth! Participants will decorate a vessel to house their own plant in and then bring it to their own home. Local artists will lead art-making activities that will delve into this theme and visitors can make their own pieces to enhance their home.

October 12, 2017 | 2nd Thursday: Living Art - HARVEST

For our final 2nd Thursday, we are celebrating the nourishment the earth brings through food! We will create stamps out of fruit and vegetables and celebrate the season of harvest by making artwork. Artists will also utilize food in their art-making projects or focus on food imagery as they lead visitors through art-making projects.