Visiting Artist Programs

Start Here Studio offers a visiting artist program where the "art making" comes to your facility. High-energy artist Mary Beth Dolan brings fun, laughter, and all the art supplies needed to trick your participants into learning a new art form, history, and the chance to be a budding artist! Visiting artist programs are great for library programming, recreation programs, public and private schools, and senior centers.

Asian Cut Paper Art

Learn how to create amazing artwork using only scissors and paper! Great program for multi-cultural events! Participants learn how to recreate this ancient Asian art form while they learn about Asian New Year and the Chinese Zodiac.

Short length and long length programs available
Typical program results in two pieces of cut paper art
Ages 8 and older
Meets New York State academic standards for Social Studies at Intermediate and High school levels
Residency program available

Detail of The Monkey King, Cut Paper Art, by MB Dolan, 2004.

Animal Draw

Wildly fun class for younger artists! Learn how to draw animals using basic shapes and letters. Complex animals are broken down into simple shapes- teaching participants how to see as an artist does.

Hour long program
Includes all materials and optional take home workbook
Ages 5 and up

Egyptian Polymer Clay Jewelry

Make Egyptian style jewelry using polymer clay! We will explore hieroglyphs, and various styles of ancient Egyptian jewelry. Students will then be given polymer clay that uses the same colors that dominated Egyptian jewelry (custom mixed clay that simulates lapis lazuli, carnelian, turquoise, obsidian) texturing in jewelry is also encouraged.

Two hour program
Includes all materials
Ages 10 and up- due to use of crafting knives
Can be adapted to World History curriculum as part of a residency
Program can be adapted for other ancient culture’s jewelry styles- call for info!

Calligraphy

Mary Beth brings feather quills, calligraphy dip pens, parchment, and lettering workbook/style sheets and teaches some calligraphy basics. Please be aware that participants will be using old fashioned methods, and this means liquid ink is in use during the program.

1.5 hour length program
Ages 8 and older
Great for Pioneer Day Celebrations

Manga Madness

A great program to bring teens into your library! High-energy artist, MB Dolan, will lead participants through a fun-filled, intense workshop of Manga drawing.

Several versions of the program are available:

Faces and figures
Emotions
Action poses
Character development
Story planning and paneling
Designing cover art

The participants can actually vote to decide which program we do! Several funny anecdotes are shared, as MB illustrates the do's and don'ts of Manga drawing.

1.5 hour length program
Includes all materials and optional take home workbooks
Ages 10 and up
Multi visit literacy residency program available

Fun-n-Funky Polymer Clay Jewelry

How to make your own funky wearable art! We use polymer clay to create one-of-a-kind wearable art. Polymer clay is multi-colored clay that can be hardened by baking in a home oven. Several design techniques are taught, tips are shared, and if time permits, the clay is baked before participants head home.

Artists age 10 and up
This program uses sharp tools (crafting knives)
A safe place on-site is needed to bake the clay (if possible)

Some chevron style beads, to show size and detail. MB Dolan, 2008.

Build-a-bug workshop

New for 2008 summer reading program!!! Learn fun bug facts while creating your own insect friends using polymer clay! A hands-on fun-shop- a great way to use your imagination to make a bug (or two) to take home. Participants will use polymer clay to create a bug, and we'll bake them and they can take them home. while the bugs bake, we will do fun bug-related activities.

Let's Get Graphic! (Graphic Novel, that is)

This multiple session residency teaches the beginning skills needed to create and develop a graphic novel or short story. Drawing skills, story telling skills, creative writing and visual story boarding are taught. Age 12 and up mandatory for this program. A great way to get teens and especially teen boys to visit your library!

Metamorphosis

Participants get very creative and practice team work in this fun metamorphosis program! Teams of two or more people will be challenged to visually show a transformation of an inanimate object into an animate subject. Example- a canister style vacuum cleaner morphing into an aardvark. This program has been a hit in my teaching studio for several years as an art project, and with some tweaking it can be done as a team project in less than two hours by two or more students. This program also makes the participants use the libraries resources, as they have to locate photographic references while they are there!

New programs are constantly being created...check back often!

Have an idea for a program/topic, but you are not quite sure how to make it all happen? Click on the link below and StART HERE Studio can help!

Visiting Artist FAQ’s

How do I book Mary Beth Dolan?

Call MB Dolan at 585-755-4623 to schedule a date for your event, workshop, or residency. I’ll send you two copies of the contract; you sign and return one copy to Start Here Studio and your date is confirmed!

What are the fees for having Mary Beth Dolan come to our event?

Each event has specific needs please call 585-755-4623 for a quote.

Where’s the best place to have this program?

Well, your place, of course! Experience has shown that in a school setting an art room works best; in a library or community center we recommend a common room that can hold at least 30 people comfortably.

What about publicity?

Use the link below to get printable press info about your program, an artist's bio, and photos you can use. Some programs have a pre-made poster that can be e-mailed to you upon request.

What if I have a theme of my own in mind, can Mary Beth create a program?

YES! I can help you design a program to fit your needs, and can help you with fundraising ideas for your special event or residency.