Thaddeus Jurczynski

Thaddeus Jurczynski is a sculptor and celebration artist rostered with the Washington State Arts Commission. He has been presenting artist in residency and science enrichment programs for over 20 years. His workshops and residencies include such diverse subjects as reed sculpture, batik self portraits, and rocketry. His giant puppets have been seen at various parades and festivals throughout Puget Sound. In 2008, Jurczynski was commissioned to create a 6 ft tall glowing anchor by the Jefferson County Historical Society for their annual First Night Celebration. Another commissioned piece, a 9-foot long Chinese Dragon Puppet is on permanent display at Port Townsend City Library. He has been to Taiwan twice to help build ensembles and giant puppets for the annual Dream Community parade. His teaching philosophy is “Learning is something children do, not something that is done to them”. He is currently participating in Teaching Artist Training Lab, a regional program developed expressly for teaching artists by the Seattle Repertory Theater and the Washington State Art Commission. His motto is: "Experience an educational program that gives children the power of participation. Short Hands-on Art & Science Workshops (45min) E= Elementary M = Middle H= High School level Altered States (EM) Explore states of matter and changes in state. Make slime! Bubble Geometry (EMH)* Learn several bubble tricks and techniques, including Bubbles inside Bubbles, the Ballerina Bubble, and the Bubble Cube! Cooperative Art Games (EMH) Students compete in small groups to assemble a hidden sculpture! Kirigami (EMH) Kirigami is the Japanese art of paper folding and cutting to create patterns that can resemble stars, flowers or snowflakes, or even Celtic knot design. Great math extension. Moebius Bands (EM) Explore the science of topology by making interweaving wristbands. Altered States (EM) Explore states of matter and changes in state. Make slime! Physics for Artists (EMH) Discover the relationship between the colors of light and colors of pigment. Shadows in Space (MH) Discover what causes an eclipse and other mysteries about the earth, moon, and sun. Six-Pack of Science (EM) Apply the scientific method to discover why some pop cans sink and others float. Solar System in Scale (MH) Learn how the planets revolve in relation to each other and why they call it “space”. Residencies Self Portraits (EMH) 2-5 hrs Create detailed self-portraits using colored pencils and/or watercolor. Add a language arts extension through poetry. Batik (MH) 3-8 hrs Create stunning and colorful works of art using the wax-resist process. Great for creating large, colorful banners or flags. Batik Self Portraits (MH) 5-8 hrs Create detailed self-portraits on cloth using hot wax and acrylics. Giant Puppets (MH) 5-10 hrs Create giant puppets that can tower over a crowd. Great for parades and festivals! Life-Casting (MH) 2-4hrs Create a plaster cast of your own face. Great for papier-mache or leather work. Mask-Making (EMH) Create masks suitable for wearing or as an art object. Can be a good follow up to life-casting workshop. Puppet-Making (EMH) 2-5 hrs Create your own puppet show! A wide variety of materials and methods to choose from.