If you didn’t attend the Draw In, you truly missed out

This year’s Draw In at the Firehouse Cultural Center had a plethora of interesting hands-on arts activities, and by all accounts, those who came had a great time.

“Participants appreciated the opportunity of experiencing art in new, creative ways,” said Beth Stein, the center’s events’ coordinator. “We had so many talented facilitators who enjoyed sharing their expertise with everyone.”

While children became fascinated with activities like hula hooping, printmaking with fish and ferns and having themselves outlined in chalk, entire families worked on creating hanging wind sculptures and a large-scale painting with brooms and brushes. There was something of interest to folks of every skill level.

Everything was free.

Lois Kindle

Four-year-old Raven Gonzalez, of Riverview, applies paint to several ferns that will be used to make a print at the Firehouse Cultural Center’s April 13 Draw In.

Professional artist and arts educator Patrick Lindhardt provides a few pointers to Tanner Bermingham, of Wimauma, on using chalks to draw “en plein air” at the Firehouse Cultural Center’s April 13 Draw In. LOIS KINDLE PHOTOS

Anthony Record, of the Tampa Museum of Art, oversees an outdoor drip-painting activity at this year’s Draw In.

Using assorted brushes and brooms, brothers Ethan and Liam Green, 9 and 11, of Riverview, put their stamp on a large-scale drawing, facilitated by Susan Fredricks, of the Tampa Museum of Art.

The Monteleone family, of Riverview, cut out shapes of various colors and sizes to create hanging wind sculptures. From left are daughter Bella, 13, and parents Michele and John.

Frances Hereford, of the Firehouse Cultural Center, outlines a child’s body in chalk so she can then color it in.

Volunteer Phyllis Gannon holds a 14-week-old female kitten up for adoption at the Critter Adoption and Rescue Effort no-kill shelter in Ruskin. C.A.R.E. got two new volunteers during the Draw In event. Call 813-645-2273.

Dragon Hooper Cyrena Lang demonstrates her hu la-hooping skills at the recent Draw In. She brought along an assortment of hoops for visitors to use.

John Monteleone, 11, of Riverview, colors in an outline of his body drawn with chalk.

These are a few of the hanging wind sculptures made by participants of an activity led by artist Dee Hood. As with other Draw In activities, participants were welcome to take their creations home with them.

“Chalk It Up,” a figure-tracing activity, led by Tuli Carswell, of Sun City Center, was another popular offering at the April 13 Draw In.

Draw In activities, including these in front of the Art Studio, took place all over the Firehouse Cultural Center campus,