Smart Art Bites offers digital bite-sized arts lessons for families and teachers to incorporate the arts into everyday learning. Each episode focuses on a different art form taught by professional artists.
Kids can learn and practice each bite-sized arts skill again and again, away from the screen. Each episode comes with a list of books (find them at the Portage Lake District Library or other local libraries) to help young learners dive deeper into each topic.
Smart Art Bites: Season 2
Let's get CRAFTY with Tiffany. (S2E1)
Join Tiffany Lange, St. Paul visual artist, in learning how to create a quilting block pattern with rubbing designs.
Tiffany Lange, visual artist working out of St. Paul, MN, provides some background on the history of quilting. She then teaches students how to create a paper quilting block design that incorporates rubbings.
Let's get into COSTUME with Mary. (S2E2)
This Smart Art Bites episode teaches the theater skill of a “quick change.” A quick change is when actors need to change costumes quickly between scenes. Join Mary and Sophie as they teach you this fun skill!
Let's sing and DANCE with Cecilia. (S2E3)
Join dancer/musician Cecilia Ortega from Miami Beach, FL as she teaches a dance step to son jarocho music from her native Veracruz, Mexico.
Let's make a BEAT with Teao and Ras (S2E4)
Performing artists Teao Sense and Ras K'dee (Audiopharmacy) teach beatboxing basics and how to make your own percussive shaker at home.
Let's Learn the POSITIONS with the Minnesota Ballet (S2E5)
Join the Minnesota Ballet and learn the fundamental first 5 positions of ballet, as well as a few combinations.
Smart Art Bites: Season 1
Let's go BOOM with L.A. (S1E1)
Arthur "L.A." Buckner shares a rhythm and helps you see the many ways that you can perform that rhythm. L.A. is a Minneapolis-based performer and educator. Whether teaching or performing, his infectious personality and passion for music immediately draw you in. He co-hosts the PBS series Sound Field.
Let's draw CARTOONS with Terri. (S1E2)
Artist Terri Frew teaches how to draw a cartoon dog. Originally from Ontario, Canada, Terri's favorite ways to express are through drawing and embroidery.
Let's make some MUSIC with Jana. (S1E3)
In today’s smART Art Bites episode, Jana will teach the song, Great Big Stars, followed by the sign language for the song. The song is traditionally in the lullaby style, and Jana will demonstrate how adding a beat, some bass and harmonies can completely change the style of a song and make you want to dance.
Jana Nyberg is a band director/music educator (K-12 license) and jazz/neo soul/pop singer who also plays flute and piano. After teaching in the schools for 11 years, Jana is now focusing on her performance career, as well as educational clinician work and teaching privately.
Let's make some PUPPETS with Trish. (S1E5)
In this episode, Trish Helsel makes puppetry fun by bringing recycling to life! Make your own puppets from recycling/found objects.
Trish Helsel is an Associate Professor of Theatre at Michigan Technological University, with a Master of Fine Arts degree in Acting and Directing and a B.A. degree in Theatre and Music.
Let's sing in SPANISH with Lucia. (S1E6)
In this smART Art Bites episode, Lucia will teach Twinkle Twinkle Little Star in Spanish, drawing cultural connections with a folk song in common for her native Peru and America. Lucia will demonstrate the difference in tone and timbre between saxophone and ewi, concluding with a performance.
Lucia Sarmiento is a professional musician, band leader and educator. She has given master classes in Peru and America, and her fun and energetic approach is engaging for all ages. Lucia holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in Woodwind Performance.