Summer reading season was upon us.  

I met Jerry and his niece outside the Cortland, IL, Lion’s club.  Jerry was excited about the acting workshop he’d done the previous day, and we waited for a town meeting to wrap up before we went inside.  Amanda, who was coordinating the event, met up with us and we started to set up.

But this wasn’t just any ORDINARY painting workshop–if indeed there is such a thing, when you try to bring out the WACKY creativity in audiences of all ages.  Jerry had concocted a PAINT A DRUM WORKSHOP inspired by this year’s summer reading theme: READ, RENEW, REPEAT!  I painted my own drum the previous weekend, but this time Jerry walked me through the set-up and explained how it would work.

We spread tarp on the tables while we set up our banners.  Jerry arranged an assortment of found objects (coffee canisters, oatmeal containers, pringles cans, and such-like) on the table near the door.  The tables in the center of the room we festooned with paints, brushes, and makers.  Along the farther wall, we had construction paper, glue, and stickers.

Kids began to file in.  We greeted everyone as they arrived, and asked them to pick out the “drum” that made their favorite sound.  Then we led them to the construction paper and told them to pick out their favorite colors.  Then they went to the tables to paint.  Amanda, thoughtfully, had provided smocks as well as a few more materials donated for the library.  The kids painted on construction paper and added their own original designs.  

And WHAT DESIGNS!  One library worker made an expressionist drum that Jerry described as “primal.”  One little girl made a sun pattern on pink construction paper.  One little girl, memorably, painted a smiling mermaid with hair made of shiny bejeweled stickers.

When the construction paper was dry we glued it to the drums and voila!  Some kids finished early, and painted on canvases for the rest of the time.  Some worked diligently until the workshop was almost done.  Then, Jerry led the group in a DO ART DRUM CIRCLE, giving out a few rhythm instruments to accompany the handmade drums.  The kids banged along while we recited the chant that Jerry had modified to fit the summer reading theme:

I LOVE THE EARTH

I AM AMAZING

I WILL DO WHAT I CAN TO HELP THE EARTH  

An absolutely magical afternoon.  We cleaned up from the workshop and loaded the supplies in my car.  I’d be doing another PAINT A DRUM workshop in Iowa on Friday, and my brain was already teeming with ideas.  Days like this truly inspire you.