The Art Base has been passing out free art kits for kids from its Basalt location since everything shut down due to the pandemic in March. Since then, the art organization has distributed 1,600 kits to local families, and recently, it partnered with Carbondale based Dance Initiative for a special edition “Wild Rumpus” Art Box.
The boxes include supplies to make a mask and cape, just like the main character Max from the 1963 children’s book “Where The Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak. Kids can don their new creations, and interact with the link from Dance Initiative that is included in the kit. The Dance Initiative online class is all auditory, which gives kids a screentime break while they romp in their handmade costumes.
“Younger kids tend to kind of stare at the screen and not know that they’re supposed to be in their body and activating as well,” said Dance Initiative Executive Director Megan Janssen of the format. “It’s kind of an audio adventure that’s really engaging.”
Local dancers conduct the prerecorded audio adventure in English and Spanish, and encourage kids to combine movement with their own imaginations.
“It is kind of a walk through your imagination, and sometimes you’re in the forest and sometimes you’re with animal friends, sometimes you’re with human friends and sometimes you’re at a big feast,” said Janssen. “The whole thing is really magical.”
The kits are aimed at kids age 3 to 7, and are available for purchase on the Art Base’s website. The Art Base also still has free art kits available for pick up at its location in Basalt.
