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Time for a snowball fight at Madison Arts Barn to bring warm wishes, raise fundsBy Sarah Page Kyrcz
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Are you ready for a snowball fight?
Whether there is snow on the ground or not, you may get hit and unlike those cold spheres that fly across your yard, these snowballs are going to make you feel warm inside. The Madison Arts Barn, also known as The Barn, has started a “warm wishes” snowball fight where hot cocoa bombs, hot cocoa critters and a hot cocoa “snow globe” are being exchanged instead of icy cold snowballs. Orders can be placed by visiting madisonartsbarn.org. “For $5 I can put a smile on my nieces’ and nephews’ faces and it’s totally worth it,” said Susan Wivell, who sent hot cocoa bombs. Each order has a personal message attached and is hand delivered to Guilford, Madison, Killingworth and Clinton. The project will continue through the winter, with special items for Valentine's Day. “It’s fun, it’s cute,” said Robyn Klaskin, The Barn’s co-director. “People are very excited when I deliver them.” The hot cocoa bombs are $5 or $12.50 for three. They are made with a white chocolate melt shell and has cocoa mix and mini marshmallows inside. Once immersed in hot water or milk the bomb opens and mixes into a yummy hot chocolate drink topped with marshmallows. The Cocoa Critters are creatively packaged hot cocoa, chocolate chips and mini marshmallows to make a hot cocoa treat. These are $8 for a four-pack. The hot cocoa “snow globe,” which includes a mug and one cocoa refill is currently sold out. They hope to offer this shortly. There is also a "pay it forward" option. The Barn is working with Youth and Family Services to deliver the treats to families in need.
“I think it’s a really great organization and a service and venue that’s all put together,” said Wivell. “I grew up in Madison, been a Madison resident for 30 years now and I just really love to ‘Love Your Local,’ as they say,” she added. “Supporting local things during the pandemic has been really important and I also thought it was a super adorable fundraiser.” The Barn is a small non-profit inclusive youth center that services youth and their communities with a focus on the arts. Their mission is to empower young people to pursue their interests and passions and to encourage a sense of community through creativity, music and the arts in a safe and supportive environment. The Barn is financially stressed due to the closings and reduced capacity limits that were necessary due to the pandemic, explained Klaskin. “We’ve had a very difficult time since COVID hit and so we’re trying to think of some creative ways to make money that will maybe put some cheer out into the community, as well,” she said. “It’s going to help us sustain during these difficult times.” Wivell, a teacher and mother, is excited to participate in this project at a time when the youth need a pick-me-up. “I know the kids are going through a lot right now, with in school, out of school, hybrid, this that and everything and so, I kind of felt like it’s a fun little time of the year, Christmas is over. I thought it would put a smile on their faces to be like, ‘Oh, my Gosh Aunt Sue — Sue sent me a cocoa bomb!’ ”
The Barn, 8 Campus Drive, Madison, 203-245-2689; madisonartsbarn.org; Facebook The Barn
Whether there is snow on the ground or not, you may get hit and unlike those cold spheres that fly across your yard, these snowballs are going to make you feel warm inside. The Madison Arts Barn, also known as The Barn, has started a “warm wishes” snowball fight where hot cocoa bombs, hot cocoa critters and a hot cocoa “snow globe” are being exchanged instead of icy cold snowballs. Orders can be placed by visiting madisonartsbarn.org. “For $5 I can put a smile on my nieces’ and nephews’ faces and it’s totally worth it,” said Susan Wivell, who sent hot cocoa bombs. Each order has a personal message attached and is hand delivered to Guilford, Madison, Killingworth and Clinton. The project will continue through the winter, with special items for Valentine's Day. “It’s fun, it’s cute,” said Robyn Klaskin, The Barn’s co-director. “People are very excited when I deliver them.” The hot cocoa bombs are $5 or $12.50 for three. They are made with a white chocolate melt shell and has cocoa mix and mini marshmallows inside. Once immersed in hot water or milk the bomb opens and mixes into a yummy hot chocolate drink topped with marshmallows. The Cocoa Critters are creatively packaged hot cocoa, chocolate chips and mini marshmallows to make a hot cocoa treat. These are $8 for a four-pack. The hot cocoa “snow globe,” which includes a mug and one cocoa refill is currently sold out. They hope to offer this shortly. There is also a "pay it forward" option. The Barn is working with Youth and Family Services to deliver the treats to families in need.
“I think it’s a really great organization and a service and venue that’s all put together,” said Wivell. “I grew up in Madison, been a Madison resident for 30 years now and I just really love to ‘Love Your Local,’ as they say,” she added. “Supporting local things during the pandemic has been really important and I also thought it was a super adorable fundraiser.” The Barn is a small non-profit inclusive youth center that services youth and their communities with a focus on the arts. Their mission is to empower young people to pursue their interests and passions and to encourage a sense of community through creativity, music and the arts in a safe and supportive environment. The Barn is financially stressed due to the closings and reduced capacity limits that were necessary due to the pandemic, explained Klaskin. “We’ve had a very difficult time since COVID hit and so we’re trying to think of some creative ways to make money that will maybe put some cheer out into the community, as well,” she said. “It’s going to help us sustain during these difficult times.” Wivell, a teacher and mother, is excited to participate in this project at a time when the youth need a pick-me-up. “I know the kids are going through a lot right now, with in school, out of school, hybrid, this that and everything and so, I kind of felt like it’s a fun little time of the year, Christmas is over. I thought it would put a smile on their faces to be like, ‘Oh, my Gosh Aunt Sue — Sue sent me a cocoa bomb!’ ”
The Barn, 8 Campus Drive, Madison, 203-245-2689; madisonartsbarn.org; Facebook The Barn
Madison Arts Barn Holds Halloween Cupcake Decorating Event
MADISON --
The Madison Arts Barn held a hybrid in-person and online Halloween-themed cupcake decorating event on Oct. 25. Here, Makayla Stella (age 13) pipes frosting onto a cupcake during the class.
For more information on upcoming Arts barn programs, visit TheMadisonArtsBarn on Facebook.
Original Article: The Source - www.zip06.com/news/20201028/madison-arts-barn-holds-halloween-cupcake-decorating-event
The Madison Arts Barn held a hybrid in-person and online Halloween-themed cupcake decorating event on Oct. 25. Here, Makayla Stella (age 13) pipes frosting onto a cupcake during the class.
For more information on upcoming Arts barn programs, visit TheMadisonArtsBarn on Facebook.
Original Article: The Source - www.zip06.com/news/20201028/madison-arts-barn-holds-halloween-cupcake-decorating-event
the Madison foundation announces funding for the arts barn
The Madison Foundation to provide a $5000 grant to the Friends of Madison Youth
to support families adversely affected by the COVID crisis.
to support families adversely affected by the COVID crisis.
By Jennifer Simpson, Neighbor
October 7th, 2020
October 7th, 2020
Remote Learning at The Barn's structured study hall. (Robyn Klaskin, Executive Director)
Madison, CT - The Madison Foundation in conjunction with the John Brady and Roberta Isleib Donor-Advised Fund will provide $5000 to the Friends of Madison Youth--The Barn--to support families adversely affected by the COVID-19 economic and public health crisis.
The hybrid learning model adopted by Madison Public Schools at the start of the school year left parents scrambling to find affordable child care. The Barn stepped in to fill the void by creating a safe and affordable learning solution. The grant funding will be used to create a structured study hall for students learning remotely with socially-distanced workstations, cozy reading areas, and WIFI internet access. Additionally, the funding will support adult proctors to assist students struggling with the virtual learning environment.
The grant will also provide funding for The Barn's theater program which supports children's emotional and social development. Many students became depressed during the statewide shutdown spending too many hours isolated, sedentary, and in front of screens. Participation in theater productions offers students a creative outlet where they can reconnect with peers in a socially responsible way.
"The Barn has provided quality programs to local families for more than twenty years and for the first time is faced with the reality that we cannot continue to open our programs to people who can't afford to pay at a time when families need our programs the most," said The Barn director Robin Klaskin.
Many parents need to go to work and are not comfortable leaving young learners at home to navigate online schooling. Even parents working from home struggle with supporting their children and focusing on their work. The Barn's structured study hall provides a safe, affordable childcare option for parents at a critical time.
"This grant request had the unanimous support of the Board of Directors," said Peter Roos of the Foundation's grant committee. "The Barn was always self-sufficient but like so many local nonprofits, they had to cancel all their major fundraising events. This program provides a safe place for children to study while being inspired to learn and grow," added Roos.
The Foundation is pleased to support The Barn's study hall program and is actively seeking grants from other nonprofits adversely affected by the ongoing global pandemic. Please visit the foundation's website at https://www.themadisonfoundation.org/grant-guidelines/ for additional grant information and to download the grant application.
The Madison Foundation is a grant-making organization committed to making Madison a better place for all residents by connecting donors who care with causes that matter.
The hybrid learning model adopted by Madison Public Schools at the start of the school year left parents scrambling to find affordable child care. The Barn stepped in to fill the void by creating a safe and affordable learning solution. The grant funding will be used to create a structured study hall for students learning remotely with socially-distanced workstations, cozy reading areas, and WIFI internet access. Additionally, the funding will support adult proctors to assist students struggling with the virtual learning environment.
The grant will also provide funding for The Barn's theater program which supports children's emotional and social development. Many students became depressed during the statewide shutdown spending too many hours isolated, sedentary, and in front of screens. Participation in theater productions offers students a creative outlet where they can reconnect with peers in a socially responsible way.
"The Barn has provided quality programs to local families for more than twenty years and for the first time is faced with the reality that we cannot continue to open our programs to people who can't afford to pay at a time when families need our programs the most," said The Barn director Robin Klaskin.
Many parents need to go to work and are not comfortable leaving young learners at home to navigate online schooling. Even parents working from home struggle with supporting their children and focusing on their work. The Barn's structured study hall provides a safe, affordable childcare option for parents at a critical time.
"This grant request had the unanimous support of the Board of Directors," said Peter Roos of the Foundation's grant committee. "The Barn was always self-sufficient but like so many local nonprofits, they had to cancel all their major fundraising events. This program provides a safe place for children to study while being inspired to learn and grow," added Roos.
The Foundation is pleased to support The Barn's study hall program and is actively seeking grants from other nonprofits adversely affected by the ongoing global pandemic. Please visit the foundation's website at https://www.themadisonfoundation.org/grant-guidelines/ for additional grant information and to download the grant application.
The Madison Foundation is a grant-making organization committed to making Madison a better place for all residents by connecting donors who care with causes that matter.
kids may find adventure at the barn in madison (Click HERE for Original article)
By Sarah Page Kyrcz July 7, 2020
Campers enjoy a day of relaxation during one of the summer camps offered through The Barn. The nonprofit organization in Madison has started summer camps for this summer, following strict COVID-19 protocols to keep all attendees safe.
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MADISON — Are your children ready for an adventure after months of quarantine? How about summer camp with offerings including film animation, filmmaker’s boot camp, photography, art exploration and Zen retreat week. For the last nine years, The Barn has offered summer camp at their 5,000-square-foot facility.
The nonprofit organization’s camp is directed toward ages 10 and up. This year, restrictions allow no more than 10 campers per session. “We’re doing everything here to be safe and following all the guidelines,” said Co-Director Robyn Klaskin, regarding precautions in light of the COVID-19 epidemic. That includes having three adults onsite “to monitor and make sure that everybody is safe,” Klaskin said. Camps have started and will conclude with the Aug. 10 “Find Your Zen: A Retreat Camp 2020.” Each session goes from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., five days a week. In addition, two workshops are offered, meeting two hours for two days a week over a couple weeks. These include Filmmaker’s Boot Camp and Monologue Master Class.While the doors were closed during state-required quarantining, children participated in weekly ZOOM events including bingo, trivia and DJ dance parties. “It is nowhere near the same,” said Co-Director Tammy Boris. “They want to be together, so that’s why we’re looking forward to getting them back in here for summer camp.” After briefly shutting down and canceling the spring production of “Little Mermaid,” with 55 cast members, Klaskin is happy to be opening again for the children who participate in The Barn’s programs. “They consider The Barn part of their family and they were so sad that we couldn’t be here together and doing things,” Klaskin said. “The kids, they create such bonds and friendships here — it was just sad to have all that taken away. So to be able to offer something, even to a limited amount of kids, is better than nothing.” With limited funding, the plays help bring in the money essential to keep the organization’s programs operational. “To lose such a huge production like that, that was a devastating blow,” said Trisha Barba, a member of the board of directors for the past five years. Barba’s daughter, Carly, attended the camps for seven years and now serves as a mentor. “It was great,” said Barba. “She got to come here, interact with all the other kids. It’s a very loving environment and all the kids look so forward to when they come in. It’s exciting, they have fun. “Our main goal is to make sure that the kids enjoy their summer, they enjoy being up here, they make new friends and that they do build their self-esteem.” |
