Wow Animation, a new program for children in kindergarten through 12th grade, will hold an informational open house and is accepting registrations for its first classes. After school and during school breaks, children, and even members of their families, will be able to learn different animation techniques and create their own short animated videos.
An informational open house is set for Saturday, April 12 from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at the Children’s Museum. Classes are set to begin on April 22nd.
Masha Kakhova, a former animator and creative director, is one of the coordinators of Wow Animation. She said the open house would be a great opportunity for families to learn more about the new program.
“We are planning classes on cutout puppet animation, claymation, brick filming and pixilation,” Kakhova said. “Our goal is to provide quality learning opportunities to everyone who is interested in the art of animated filmmaking. During the open house we will show some examples and talk about our new program.”
Today children are immersed in media, and in particular, animation. It’s on TV, in movies and computer games. Most kids don’t think about how animation is created until they are given an opportunity. With new available technologies, children can learn how to create their own animation movies and self-express themselves even more.
WOW Animation is an educational program for children and their families that will teach students different animation techniques in a professionally set-up studio, although in kids’ friendly environment. We’ll do everything we can to make this program accessible and affordable for everyone. Animation is a great way to teach children 21st century technology, art, storytelling, science and communication in a fun way.
Denise Owens, who studied animation and worked on the Robot Chicken TV show in Los Angeles, is the studio manager of the program.
“This is going to be very unique for the Marquette area,” Owens said. “I’m anxious to share the art of animation with kids.”
Nheena Weyer Ittner is the director of the Children’s Museum and she is excited about this new program offering.
“Through the world of animation a young person can learn so much,” Weyer Ittner said. “The program will be a fabulous addition to our Museum’s family of programming.”
“We’ll run after-school classes, workshops, morning sessions for preschoolers and homeschoolers, and summer camps for children from K-12 teaching different animation techniques,” according to Kakhova. “We will work with local schools and educators to integrate our projects with school colloquiums. We’ll also do our best to create an annual event where our students can present their works to a broader public and win awards. The program will be running on the fees paid by the participants, but to make it affordable we always need an extra help from donors, foundations, and volunteers.”
The first class, Cutout Puppet Animation, is set to run for seven weeks between April 22nd and June 5th. The classes for children ages 6 to 8 will run on Tuesdays from 5:00 until 6:45 p.m., while the classes for children ages 9 and up will run on Thursdays between 5:00 and 6:45 p.m. The classes are $80 per student, which includes a $15 materials fee.
There will also be Animation Station open hours for pre-schoolers and home schoolers Mondays between 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. in three one-hour slots for $15 per hour. These will need to be reserved by the previous Friday.
For more information on the open house or to register for classes call (906) 226-3911 ext. 104, email animationwow@gmail.com or visit www.upchildrensmuseum.com/wow-animation.
Click To Submit Press Releases, News, Calendar Items, and Community Events to mediaBrew radio stations WFXD, WKQS, WRUP, GTO, Fox Sport Marquette, and 106.1 The Sound
Marquette, Michigan Calendar; Ishpeming Calendar; Negaunee Calendar; Gwinn Calendar; Negaunee Calendar and Events; Upper Peninsula Calendar of Events; Escanaba Events and Calendar