March is D.I.Y Month at PONSHOP

FirstFriday_image_web1

PONSHOP Studio and Gallery is excited to announce our March “First Friday” event rescheduled for March 13, from 6-10pm.  PONSHOP has designated March to be Do It Yourself month by introducing two new products to the shop: D.I.Y moss terrarium kits by Twig Terrariums and customizable miniature water tower replicas by Boundless Brooklyn.

“Get Dirty” Terrarium Party: Get your hands dirty this First Friday and build your own terrarium at Ponshop Studio and Gallery on Friday, March 6 (6-8pm), using D.I.Y. kits by Twig Terrariums. Choose between the Jurassic World terrarium (including toy dinosaurs) or the Enchanted Moss terrarium (including glow-in-the-dark butterflies) and walk out with a completed and one-of-a-kind mini mossy world. $39 includes the terrarium kit as well as quick, guided assembly. Green thumb not required.

Twig Terrariums is a Brooklyn-based studio and shop founded by artists Michelle Incinarrano and Katy Maslow, which houses a variety of made terrariums and do-it-yourself kits. Their D.I.Y. kits allow you to create your own mossy world with the provided earthly elements and easy to follow assembly and care instructions.

Boundless Brooklyn is another innovative company established in New York by friends David and Terence. They provide easy-to-assemble model water towers that allow you to add your own personal flair. Made out of 100% recycled material, these towers are great for all ages and fit perfectly on desks and shelves.

Gabriel Pons will be hosting a build-your-own Brooklyn water tower workshop on Saturday, March 21 (1-3pm).  Students will construct and paint a 10-inch tall cardboard replica of New York City’s most iconic structures. (Ages 9+)  $35 includes (1) mini tower kit and all painting materials. More about Art Classes can be found HERE.

"Portal to History" Walking Map Release Event Announced

PONSHOP Studio and the Fredericksburg Visitor Center are pleased to announce the release of their collaborative children’s walking map titled, “A Portal to History.” This walking map is the product of an eight-week series of art workshops and historic tours held by PONSHOP Studio including the work of eight scholarship students. The evening will include an exhibit of the student work, a photo slideshow, and a brief presentation from the students and workshop organizers.

The students visited seven Fredericksburg historic landmarks including: Hugh Mercer Apothecary, Fredericksburg Center for the Creative Arts, The Fredericksburg Museum and Cultural Center, Mary Washington House, Kenmore Plantation, and the Rising Sun Tavern. Students were responsible for collecting materials (historic information, photographic documentation, and architectural illustrations) pertinent to each site. In the following sessions, PONSHOP instructors Scarlett and Gabriel Pons assisted them in creating a walking map incorporating their findings and illustrations from their visits.

The map provides young tourists with an interactive means of exploring the city’s historic sites and also becomes a self-made souvenir, including a stamp collecting activity for six of the historic landmarks. The map also provides a link with additional information about and pictures from the students’ workshop process.

As a means to give closure to the workshop and share the walking map with the public, students will present the “Portal to History” project at a formal reception on Friday, February 8 from 6-7pm. All are welcome to attend.

On behalf of PONSHOP Studio, we would like to thank the following for their assistance in this project: The City of Fredericksburg, The University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg Center for the Creative Arts, The Fredericksburg Area Museum and Cultural Center, The George Washington Foundation, and Washington Heritage Museums. We would also like to thank the participating students: Maggie Carmody, Caroline Connors, Jordan DeBoise, Madelyn Descutner, Matt Dinehart, Zoë Kovacs, David Pearcy, and Marielle White.

Student Work: Architect's Eyes, July 2012

Fredericksburg is a great place for historic precedents in architecture.  In this 3-session class, Gabriel Pons gave a "sketch" tour of the city - exploring the city's most significant (and interesting) structures.  Below are snapshots from the workshop including the student's sketchbook pages.

PONSHOP offers art classes year-round.  For a current class schedule, Click Here.

PONSHOP Student Work: Architect's Eyes

August of this year ushered in the "Through an Architect's Eyes" workshop.  In this series of three 1.5-hour sessions, PONSHOP owner Gabriel Pons takes the students on a walking tour of downtown Fredericksburg.  Students learn about the fundamental "language" of architectural drawing including: maps, plans, building sections, and facade elevations.  Below are some snapshots of the students' sketchbooks.  Good Work!