Category: Uncategorized

Reflection of 9/13/2025

In addition to attending this event, I was a volunteer for the Snug Harbor fence show. That means I was there from 7:45 AM to 5:30 PM. However, it actually was a lot of fun I didn’t feel like I was there for too long.

Upon arrival I helped setup the Biergarten where they sold alcohol and pretzels. Yum. It actually ended up looking really cute! All the table had blue and white plaid table clothes and we put mini pumpkins on them for decoration.

I was stationed at the kids activity table where there were coloring sheets and masks for kids—or me—to decorate. In the morning it was busy I created this moth by ripping up pieces of paper and streamers we had set out and glueing them to the wings.

After creating this I slipped out to the Art Lab to meet my fellow artists. We started with the ceramics class which taught us how to work clay and hand make different ceramic objects. I really enjoyed getting my hand dirty, I personally love things of this caliber and I haven’t really tried ceramics before so it was really cool. At first I thought we all had to make a bowl but then i got more comfortable and learned I could make whatever I want so that’s exactly what I did. I made a friend.

After that me and Sofia headed to the painting class which was less of a class and more of an opportunity to paint a still life or something else and ask for tips. I’ve been meaning to try oil painting so I decided to give it a try here and it was nice to be able to experiment and learn something new. For my first experiment I think it went pretty well. The contrast isn’t as deep as it is in real life so that’s something I could work on in the future.

When I went back to my station at the activities table I joined the children in coloring and learned a lot about the mine of a 5 year old. Eventually I even go tot help with the face paint when there was an abundance of eager kids. That was my first time doing face paint and the kids seemed to like it so I’ll take it as a win. I did a ladybug, a lion, batman, and a snowy owl. While the event was winding down I did this sea turtle one one of my fellow volunteers:

The event was super fun and interactive. My favorite part of art lab was the ceramics because we were altogether having fun playing with shape and texture. I would definitely go again next year or whenever the next time they have it.

We attended the Art Open House Lab at Snug harbor on Saturday, September 13th for the 11am to 12:30 session. Luckily for me I got dropped off by my dad which was amazing because taking the bus early in the morning for a 1hr and 30mins ride was not something I wanted to do. Once we got there, I spotted the others from my group and we walked inside to sign in. There were a bunch of different art demos going on such as ceramics, bracelet making, painting, shirt decorating, and photos. I started in ceramics which was so fun because we got to make bowls but in reality we all just made our own things. The instructor really took his time with us showing us the simple steps of making the basics. I made a bowl with a snake on it or attempted to at least. Sadly we weren’t allowed to take it home unless we came back and paid for it to be fired. There was an art show going an as well which showcased art from the instructors and the one below is from our ceramics instructor.

Then I went to the dark room where the instructor told us the whole process of developing photos and the art within photo making and more so the science of it. This demo didn’t really speak to me because I just wasn’t really into the technical aspect of it and it just seemed all very percise. The instructor was very educated and loves what he does and it was so nice to see these instructors really interested in their craft. Lastly I went to the collage demo which was so fun because we had the freedom to do whatever we wanted. There was just so many magazines, and random pieces that covered the table that we could add to our collage. It was just a time to create our own art in complete silence and it was so peaceful.

After we were done, some of us went to go grab some icecream and that was just the perfect way to end the day. Overall I loved the experience and would do it again. Below are some pieces that I loved from the art showcase.

This Saturday, I went to Snug Harbor, arriving before 11:00 AM to ensure I would make it in time for their demo classes. Upon my arrival, I met with a classmate and we explored while we waited for other students of the seminar to fill in. Once more people began to enter, we began to loiter around the stalls while the vendors set up. I was interested in looking at one stall with very beautiful handmade bracelets, though I wasn’t actually interested in buying anything. However, the woman running the stall began to tell me about the bracelets, and we got into a conversation, so I felt like I should buy something after our chat. I just bought a kids bracelet because it was cheaper, and I thought it was cute. 

Once I bought the bracelet, it was nearly time for the classes to begin so we made our way into the building with the demos. The first class we entered was ceramics, and it was different from my expectations. Normally, I’ve only ever painted ceramics, but this class was sculpting them from clay. I didn’t like this class very much because it was really messy, and my little bowl came out badly. I only really enjoyed throwing the clay, but it got on my clothes and tote bag which I was disappointed about. I found the sculpting to be a little monotonous, and disappointing once I saw how poorly I had sculpted my bowl. Also, they told us we had to go the men’s bathroom to use the slop sink so I felt a little awkward being in there, but persevered nonetheless. 

Upon exiting the first class, I wandered into another demo room where I saw other classmates. I wasn’t extremely interested in this class, I had only really entered in order to see what it was. The class was still life, and I can’t draw or paint, but once the woman running the class asked which subject I wanted to paint, and with which material, I felt it would’ve been rude of me to say I wasn’t interested. So, I told her oil paint because I like oil paintings, and I chose to paint the bust as I thought it would be the most interesting.

Once I began to sketch the bust, I didn’t take it too seriously as I know my limits when it comes to my creative abilities. Furthermore, I thought I should leave as soon as possible so someone who is more interested can take my place, and I could go to a class which would be more fun for me. So, I put minimal effort into my sketch and just put something together that was good enough that she would allow me to paint and be on my way to the next class.

So, with approval to begin painting, I started by attempting to put black splotches where I saw darker shadows on the bust. However, once the instructor introduced white paint, I immediately regretted my actions. I realized quickly that painting with intention was actually quite fun, and with multiple colors, it was actually less difficult than expected to try and recreate the depth of the statue. Unfortunately, I realized too late to fix my initial sketch so the best I could do was attempt to make it less abrasive and blend in the black splotches, leading to a muddled blob face. 

My final painting looked like this, and I was regretful of my initial disregard which prevented it from looking more proportional and composed. However, I am thankful to have had the experience, and I am interested in oil painting again in the future! 

On Saturday, some of us went to the 11 am-12:30 pm Art Lab demo. It was so cool, they had a bunch of different rooms, each with its own artistic activity. I had enough time to do both a ceramic class and a painting class. It was really fun! I learned that I am not that good at ceramics, but that’s okay. In the painting demo the teacher had the loveliest set up of statues, flowers, and fruits. I started an oil painting, which I haven’t done in years. I think it was her oil paintings that were hung up around the room that inspired me to paint one as well.

After the demos were done, I walked around the fence show, and it was huge. There were so many artists and cool art! I ended up buying a clown magnet for $5; it was totally a steal. After walking around, we made the best decision and got Eggers.

I’m certain that their brownie sundae could bring me back from the dead. It is so bomb. Pro tip: If you pay with cash, it’s less expensive because the credit card tax is high at Eggers. It was also perfect ice cream weather!

Overall, I had a great experience. I was able to try new things, reignite old passions, and spend time with friends!

As I walked into Snug Harbor I was met with an insane spread of art by local artists. I couldn’t look around yet though, because I had to get to the art lab building since I was running late lol. As I walked into the building, I found myself met with a bunch of doors with art demos going on. The ceramics class was filled up so I went into this empty room filled with beautiful art labeled “Painting or Still Life”. Honestly I’m glad I did because I was the only one there and it was so serene and peaceful in there.

As I walked in I was met with the kindest soul, and the artist that made all these piece. Griselda Healy was her name. She seemed a bit surprised about my entrance but introduced herself and I asked her about her work. She said she’s been painting for as long as she could remember and preferred painting on cloth (as seen in her self portrait above). I thought as a person who still doesn’t know what they want in a career, I should ask her what made her so sure this career was right for her, since she is someone who has dedicated decades to their passion, . She simply responded, she knew from a young age this was what she was meant for. I wish I could say I was happy with this answer but honestly it just made me want to change the topic. She started me up with some still life and water colors and she even let me use her personal water colors which were soooo cool.

Spoiler for how my painting came out. While I was sketching she gave me so many useful tips for shaping and dimensions and even for how to mix the water colors. I overall felt like the experience was super calming and enjoyable. I honestly wish I spent more time there. There was also a display room with some of the art from the artist that were teaching classes. I took photos of some of the pieces that caught my eye.

After we left, some of us went to get ice cream from egger’s and walked around looking at the art stalls. I even met my boss who was photographing the event so that was super fun! All in all the day was super fun and a nice local change of pace.

^Some art I liked in eggers!

I arrived at Snug Harbor about 15 minutes early, before the Art Lab classes opened at 11 a.m. While I waited, I spent some time with other students from our class, and we checked out the nearby vendors. 

When the Art Lab classes opened, I visited the ceramics class first. Although I had no experience with making ceramics, it seemed like a fun, hands-on activity to try. The instructor was welcoming to everyone. While the process took a while, leaving my hands covered in clay, I was able to create a simple bowl, which I was proud of. 

After washing up from the ceramics class, I moved on to a darkroom photography class. The space was tight and dimly lit by an amber light, but the instructor ensured there was room for everyone. The class was very technical, with many terms and equipment I did not understand. However, I was able to follow along visually, fascinated by the image printing process.

Lastly, I visited the collage class. Like the other instructors, he was very friendly. He provided us with a wide variety of materials for us to get creative with. Ultimately, I created an animal-themed collage.

Overall, my day at Snug Harbor was very enjoyable and meaningful. I’m glad I got to share the experience with my Macaulay classmates and  immerse myself in artistic activities I haven’t tried before.

On Saturday September 13th, I visited Snug Harbor for the Art Lab open house. Luckily, I was not alone on my adventure, but I was able to meet up with many of my friends. It took me a while to figure out where to go, and the service was not my friend. Finally, I found building 1000 where the open house was taking place. After signing in, many of us started by taking a ceramics class. The instructor was really nice and helpful, but I was definitely still lost. I learned in that moment that I’m not really good at sculpting. My bowl went through many different phases and ended up being destroyed.

Although I did not really enjoy taking the classes, mainly because I am not good at art, I loved watching my friends. Jenna was really good at sculpting and painting, and Sofia is just amazing at oil painting. Watching them take the classes really allowed me to appreciate art. It is really difficult to create beautiful art, and they made it look effortless.

I ended my day at Snug Harbor by walking around and looking at the shops. The art displayed was truly amazing, and I even bought a really pretty handmade necklace. The environment was beautiful and I am really happy that I went.

I went to the Art Lab Open House at Snug Harbor for their 11:00 session. I originally planned on taking public transportation, but Snug Harbor was located extremely far from where I lived and I didn’t really want to wake up early just for a 2 hour commute. I noticed that parking was a bit hectic, and there were a lot of people as well, mainly children with their parents. I didn’t really expect for there to be so many people, but I saw that all of the kids were really excited about the demo classes.

The staff in the building were very welcoming, and the hallway was filled with all sorts of artwork. I wasn’t sure if pictures were allowed so I didn’t take any, but I really liked 3 different pieces that were on display. There was a large piece made of strips woven together to form the image of a maple leaf, a painting of a round bird with green paint, and a painting of an old man with dramatic lighting.

I first went to the ceramics demo, and the teacher for this session was very welcoming and knowledgeable. He taught us how to properly shape the clay so that it wouldn’t collapse or explode in the kiln, and had us make pinch pots and shape them however we liked. I made a star-shaped one, but I wasn’t sure if I wanted to keep it or not, so I left it with the teacher for now and let anyone who wanted it to claim it.

The teacher also showed off some of the pieces made by him and other people that take the ceramics classes. The most impressive one was probably the fully-functioning ocarina that he made entirely from clay.

I went to the painting demo next, and the teacher for this session was very welcoming as well. I didn’t have much experience with painting still lifes, so she picked some simple items to arrange for me. We also had a choice between different mediums: watercolor, acrylic, or oil paint. I chose watercolor because I had some experience using it.

I originally wanted to leave when the first session ended to check out the vendors outside the building, but I ended up staying an extra hour to finish up my painting. It was very enjoyable, and the teacher strongly suggested that I look into taking art classes at Art Lab or at college, which I am considering.

The vendors all had a lot of beautiful artwork to sell. I was surprised at the amount of vendors set up, as the entire road outside of the building was lined up with various stands. One vendor (Georgie Galli I believe) had such beautiful ceramics for sale. All of their products were so colorful and detailed, and they also had different kinds of ceramics ranging from plates and mugs to even candleholders or simple decorations. I really considered buying maybe a mug as a gift for my mom, but I planned on going to the city after, so I didn’t want to risk shattering it on the way there.

Overall, this was a very fun experience. All of the staff and teachers at Art Lab, as well as the vendors, were very kind and welcoming. I originally wasn’t sure about coming to this event since it was pretty far away, but I ended up really enjoying it.

To begin, I took two buses to reach the Staten Island Museum. I could drive, but I wasn’t sure what the parking situation would be like, so I opted to pay the $5.80. Once I got there, I met one of my classmates and we went to Building H, the art lab, and was quickly kicked out due to many of the teachers still setting up. We went back outside and just walked around for a bit until it turned 11:00am. Soon after, we met with other people from class who would join us in our experience.

Once it was 11, we signed in and the first class we took was the ceramics class. It was fun however, it wasn’t what I was expecting. I guess I got ceramics and pottery mixed up because I thought we were going to use the spinning wheel or just paint pre-made pieces. However, we all have our own spot at the table and was taught how to create a thumb pot (I think it was called that). The teacher taught us techniques in using clay and manipulating it to our desired shape.

Afterwards, we all dispersed to different rooms. I got a free sandwich! I was super happy because I love free food, and I was worried about what I would eat for lunch. Then, I watched some of them sketch and paint. I went to another room which was the darkroom photography. I am not gonna lie, this was probably my least favorite room because it wasn’t very interactive. Rather, it was like a lecture and I already have enough of those from classes. He was talking about how they develop images, I got confused only a minute in. I was lowkey happy to leave that room.

Lastly, I went to the collage room where I made my own card! I am actually considering whether to take the class they offer. I really enjoyed making it. I always enjoy those types of things, as I create collages for my computer and other electronics. Also, the teacher for that class is such a sweet guy! He was very soft spoken and I could tell he was very passionate about it. However, it’s $200 and its from 7:00pm until 9:00pm I think. Maybe I will do it some day.

After the collage making, I went home! I have never taken a real art class before, and it has always been on my bucket list. This experience has made me consider expanding on an interest of mine and possibly taking an art class. I’m really happy with what I experienced today.

Today I went to Snug Harbor for the Art Lab open house. We arrived at around 1, and parking was a mess –thankfully I was not the one driving. After walking in one big circle we finally found the building that the demo classes were happening in and joined the ceramics one. The instructor was such a kind older man and seemed so excited to see us, although I didn’t catch his name. We were free to make whatever we wanted, but today’s theme was pumpkins. He kept saying pumpkin season was just around the corner!!! My pumpkin was going well but as I scooped out the clay in the center, it just kept getting flatter and flatter so it just turned into a bowl. Working with the clay was actually very fun and reminded me of the art classes I used to take when I was little. I did not take my piece home because I have no space for it and would have rather the clay be reused. I made it out with no stains on my white shirt!

Once we left we got a chance to walk around and look at what the vendors were selling. Everyone was selling such beautiful pieces. The vendors and people working the event were all so kind and inviting. I saw so many dogs and the weather was beautiful too. It just seemed like a very happy environment and I was so glad I went!