creative

Saskatoon has immensely developed over recent years into a thriving city with so much to offer! There are a wide variety of activity option for any age!

A couple weeks ago, we posted about creative workshops in Saskatoon for adults, but now it’s time to take a look at what there is to offer in the city for the little ones! Children are like sponges so why not allow them to soak in all that Saskatchewan has to offer!

 

SaskatoonCreative Kids Sask

Creative Kids Sask is an organization that offers programs for Saskatchewan kids between the ages of 4 – 19. The organization believe in helping children explore their creativity without the financial burden. With Saskatchewan being one of the provinces with the highest child poverty rates in the country, this organization works towards providing opportunities regardless of economic barriers.

“Creative activities are fundamental to the positive growth and development of children and youth”

 

Nutrien WonderhubSaskatoon

Nutrien Wonderhub is located on Spadina Crescent and is Saskatchewan’s first children’s museum! Parents can take their children to wander through the museum which offers two levels of interactive exhibits. Along with the museum, Wonderhub offers classes, workshops, and camps for kids!

“All of our classes and workshops incorporate STEAM learning and encourage children, families, and adults to understand and appreciate the intersection of science, technology, engineering, art, and math.”

 

SaskatoonWe Move Sask

We Move Sask is a business that offers a variety of children and adult classes focused on dance and music. Music Together is a mixed-age class that allows children to get creative and experiment with music! Children can join anywhere from ages 1 – 7. Parents can attend the class as well and join the ‘family zone’ to experience this workshop together!

“It is a highly effective learning dynamic because it allows every child to personally create their own musical challenges and successes”

 

U of S Art Classes

The University of Saskatchewan offers art classes for children between the ages of 9-11 and 12-17. Class sized are kept small (8 students or less) in order to give each child the attention and focus they need from the instructor. Some of the classes offered include: visual arts intensive, sculpture, comics & graphic novels, journaling, and drawing.

“Classes are delivered live/synchronously through short lectures, demonstrations, time to work on projects, instructor feedback, and class sharing.”

 

SaskatoonRemai Modern

Remai Modern is a public art museum located on Spadina Crescent in Saskatoon. There is a center inside the museum called the Cameco Learning Studio which is meant to be a creative space for workshops and events. There are a variety of classes held throughout the month which are sometimes free! The activities are focused on artmaking and education on the creative arts.

 

SaskatoonWanuskewin Heritage Park Authority

Wanuskewin Heritage Park Authority is a non-profit organization set in the Northern Plains, dating back to over 6,000 years ago. It was once grounds for herds of bison and a gathering place for Indigenous peoples. There are still archaeological findings being discovered here, shedding light on the depth of the culture that once lived here.

“Wanuskewin strives to grow and develop as a centre of excellence and a place for gathering, sharing and learning.”

WHPA is open to all visitors whether you would like to simply wander the galleries, attend an event, or go on a tour. Along with day visits, there is also the option to stay overnight in a traditional Tipi. This allows guests to relive stories and walk in the footsteps of the indigenous tribes that once walked these grounds.

 

Western Development Museum

The Western Development Museum is located on Lorne Ave in Saskatoon and is the largest human history museum in Saskatchewan. The collection holds over 75,000 arkeological artifacts found throughout the province. The museum is open to the public year-round and people are able to wander through the museum or attend one of the varying educational programs or special events.

“The WDM’s mandate is to collect, preserve, and exhibit objects of historical value and importance connected with the economic and cultural development of western Canada and to stimulate interest in western Canadian history. Our vision is a Saskatchewan where everyone belongs and histories matter.”

The WDM has an Education Room and hold a variety of activities throughout the day for children. The activities are for kids from the ages of 3 – 6 and give the children the chance to learn and play with hand-on artifacts in an interactive way! There are three different zones of learning, the schoolhouse zone which allows kids to play school as if they were in the 1900s, hands-on zone which allows kids to participate in sensory engaging activities, and the cozy story zone which allows kids to sit back and relax for story time.

In the midst of the cold winter season, it can be a bit difficult to stay inspired and creative. Luckily, the city of Saskatoon offers a variety of fun, creative workshops for adults! Read below for our list of top workshops and classes offered in the city:

potteryPottery & Painting

Wet Paint Pottery offers pottery classes for both kids and adults. Aside from pottery, they also teach canvas painting and glass fusing. The drop-in classes are open to the public and a great, affordable activity to go solo or with friends! There are also fun events such as ladies night, date night, and student night!

 

 

Cooking Classcooking

The Local Kitchen is a business based in Saskatoon, focused on events and workshops in food & drink. They offer public classes, private events, as well as virtual events for those outside of the city! Their motto is “using quality food to create connection and build our community”. The classes are always taught by local chefs in the area and the ingredients are of the highest quality. There is a nice range or classes from Greek to Thai cuisine!

 

terrariumPlant Workshop

Getting out in nature can be a bit tricky on those extra cold winter days. So, why not reconnect with nature through a plant workshop! Plant Vibe offers shipment of succulent kits and virtual workshops to make your own terrarium from the comforts of your home! Plant Vibe is a company based on Saskatoon but they offer deliveries outside of the city as well. They offer different collection as well as different types of workshops. One of their most popular is a team building workshop where the team meets online to build their at-home terrariums together!

Photography Workshopphotography

The Saskatoon Camera Club offers a variety of photography workshops for any skill level whether you are just starting out or already a more advanced photographer. The workshops also have a nice range from product and studio photography to landscape and outdoor photography.

“The Saskatoon Camera Club is composed of a group of friendly people who are interested in improving their photography.”

 

Floristry Workshop

Twig & Bloom is a Saskatoon based florist business that offers different types of floristry workshops throughout the year. Twig & Bloom believes in bringing the community together to through their events which focus on helping people create beautiful flower arrangements.

“Being part of a community that has always believed in our vision is what has allowed us to realize our lifelong dream of using flowers to help people create beautiful moments and memories. We designed our floral workshops to pay that feeling forward, giving thanks to the community that has given us so much by empowering others to realize their dreams, too.”

creative

This has been a difficult time in the world for a lot of people and being creative during uncertain times can be difficult. It can be tricky to stay positive or motivated – especially throughout winter, isolation, and with the lack of in-person activities and events. The impacts on mental health have been very real and statistics show that there has been a huge increase in depression and anxiety over the past year. Due to this, people feel less capable and less interested in learning or creating new things. These feelings are all completely normal, understandable, and common throughout the world. Though, it is important to remember that there is a bright side, the happy moments in life, and to find ease in the uncertainty.

Regaining Creativity

Now, more than ever, it is extremely important to take care of your health in all ways – including both physical and mental health. Small habits such as routine, sleep, and exercise can help maintain a healthy balance. One great way to regain positivity and inspiration is through creativity! Exploring new ways to create and learn can provide a new excitement into your life. Whether it is a small hobby, something you have always wanted to try, or something you want to turn into a business, now is a great time to get started!

create

 

If you are looking for some inspiration on where to start, take a look at some of the Makers in our community and around the globe! There are many options to choose from and many people who are happy to share online workshops to get you started! Over the coming weeks, we will be sharing some of our newest members and spotlighting their creations. Let this be a tool to trigger your own inspiration to create! Whether you are interested in fashion, theatre, cosplay, jewelry, or a variety of other areas, there is something for everyone in this community! And if not, now is the time for you to step up and add your creations too!

Sense of Community

Another great way to care for your mental health is by creating a sense of community. Although you may not be able to get out to social events, there are now many ways to join social communities, virtually! At Maker Faire, we are a community built on creativity and acceptance! We are excited to welcome new Makers into our family and learn what skills and creations they have to share with us! Our Makers are enthusiastic professionals who are passionate about their field and we are here to support them. Being part of this community not only gives you a platform to share your talents but also gives you an online space to network and make new friends! If you have something in mind, do not hesitate to reach out or to join our community!

 

community

 

Over the past year, many people hit a wall and put a pause on many aspects of life. A new normal came upon us very quickly and we have been adapting to deal with the new situation ever since. The extra time we now have indoors is a great excuse to start putting effort into the things we used to put on the back burner. When life is in full swing, many people feel too busy and overwhelmed to allow time for creativity, learning, and new hobbies. Being creative can be your steppingstone to help feel normal and productive again. Now is the time to hit the play button and to take the steps forward to build the life you want!

Brighter Futures, Together

By beginning today, you are helping to set the trajectory of your future. The future is full of blank pages and you are the author to decide the story that is written. You never know what you may come up with or who you may inspire. There are many people stuck in a rut and need a little inspiration to get out – you could be that inspiration! Let yourself be free to explore all new paths in life. It is never a waste of time to learn a new skill, hobby, or habit. If you feel down, remember that it is not forever and that you can take steps, big or small, that can help you get back into a happy and healthy headspace.

 

community

 

We want to use Maker Faire as a way to share and spread positivity, creativity, and inspiration throughout our community. Everyone is capable to have new ideas and share their work in this judgement free zone. Let us use this space as a way to build something positive together. We are so excited for the future of Maker Faire and to build this community online so that when we hold events in the future, we can all meet and share our experiences!

For more information on what it’s like to be a Maker, check out our post from last week here!

 

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As part of this year’s virtual Maker Faire we visited Saskatoon TechWorks members to learn more about what it means to be a Maker. If you like DIY, science & technology projects, educational workshops, wearable creations, robots, hand-made crafts, whimsical art, inventions, and hacks; chances are you are already are a Maker!

 

 

Saskatoon TechWorks Inc.  is a makerspace (or hackerspace) focusing on science, technology, culture, mechanics and the digital arts. They offer a space where people with diverse backgrounds can socialize, collaborate and learn. Through shared resources, knowledge and ideas they strive to create an atmosphere promoting community learning. They also host workshops on electronics, programming, woodworking, fine arts, and any other skills that members (or guests) are willing to share. For more information or to attend their next hack night: https://sktechworks.ca/.

 

Video production by the talented Maker: Josh Alex @ Darkstrand Visuals https://darkstrandvisuals.com
Find him on Social medias: IG & FB @darkstrandvisuals

 

Maker Faires are independently organized events held annually at different times in cities across the world. The events allow locals from each area to showcase their creations, whatever they may be, and allows attendees to try their hand at a variety of hobbies and crafts! The concept stemmed from the ideas of collaboration, creativity, and community and allows makers to be in a supportive space, free of judgement, and provides locals the opportunity to connect and network!

In Saskatchewan, this family-friendly festival is held in the city of Saskatoon. The event displays a wide variety of handmade creations from local people. Maker Faire Saskatoon is set up at Prairieland Park and guests can wander from booth to booth, checking out anything from tech gear to woodworking! There are more than 100 Makers involved, showcasing thousands of new creations each year. Along with the exhibits, there are also presentations, performances, and workshops. These range from DIY projects and crafting to education and robotics. This is a great way to spend a fun-filled afternoon with friends and family. It is also a great way to be social and connect with new people! No matter what you are interested in, there is a little something for everyone who attends!

 

Saskatchewan’s Maker Faire began in 2018 and involves makers of any background from science and technology to the arts and crafts. This has become a big event in our province that brings the community together, uplifts each other, and supports local businesses! It provides a positive space to share, learn, and incorporate culture.

 

Unfortunately, due to COVID, the 2020 live event has been cancelled, but we are taking this as an opportunity to virtually shed light on some of our creative Makers! We would like to take this time to go into more detail on our Makers and to provide more information on the event itself, as well as answer any questions from the public.

Maker Faire is an open event for newcomers to join in on the fun and display their creations at the next event. If you have something you would like to show the community, feel free to reach out to be on our newcomer’s list! If you want to participate in the virtual edition you can still sign up here: https://saskatoon.makerfaire.com/virtual-call-for-makers/