#1 Kids Art Workshop @South Fair Fairgrounds
The first in a series of eight art workshops for children was held in Yesteryear Village - a 9-acre living history park that began in 1990, featuring buildings, and artifacts prior to 1940. Home to 30 historic and restored buildings that were moved from their original locations throughout Florida and restored onsite. With the Trojan Rocking Horse art workshops focusing on the school age students, the Village was the perfect setting in the context of this project with the Loxahatchee Groves Schoolhouse as the background. The quaintness of the village, showcasing authentic buildings from around Florida with so much history, while looking to the future.
Marco Casagrande in front of the Bink Glisson Historical Museum
Our young participants came from Everglades Elementary school. The workshop was kicked off by Finnish architect Marco Casagrande presenting to the kids an ancient Greek myth about the Trojan Horse, explaining to the kids the core mission of the Trojan Rocking Horse project and asking them to imagine what it might look like if they could build a Trojan Rocking Horse and fill it with their dreams.
Pairing the initiative of asking the children, “What is your dream about the city?” with the help of the Trojan Rocking Horse Team, the children embark on a creative journey to express themselves on the surface of cardboard horse cut-outs they outlined themselves. They collaged their artworks with materials upcycled from West Palm Beach’s Resource Depot.
The South Florida Fair started in 1912 in West Palm Beach, and Lorie Stinson, current event manager, has been with it for the last 34 years. We asked her about the joys and challenges of her work and what is her dream for the city:
// Being a part of a well-respected organization that brings a variety of events to the community each year is fulfilling. Our organization involves the agriculture community which is a large part of what Florida is about. I love the challenge of creating something that people enjoy and making it more creative and newer each time. Putting together events during the year that families can be a part of, and kids can have fun at, I love that, I love the smiles and happiness of those who attend.
There really isn’t another place like Florida. I grew up in West Palm Beach and my dream would be to find the balance in the city (world) that continues to move us forward for generations. Yet, get back to some of the neighborhood feel that I experienced as a kid growing up here. I dream of positive progress with some old-fashioned nostalgia for future generations. //
This workshop took place on Monday, January 16 2023 at South Florida Fairgrounds.
Big THANK YOU to all of the organizers and participants!