THE GATOR. WORKSHOP DESIGNED BY John DeFaro

Head body and tail in progress
All photos credit: John DeFaro

John DeFaro, a Miami, Florida and Southampton, New York-based artist returned after his successful KIDSART 2009 workshop ‘The Bottle Tree’ by offering another exciting workshop titled ‘The Gator.’

The artist continued his exploration of fundamental sculptural idea of shape and form with the kids by utilizing and celebrating our environment, mainly the Florida Everglades, with gathered discarded 2009 holiday evergreens consigned to the curb sides of Miami streets the artist has been saving for the makings of art. Informing a bold, readily recognizable folkloric aesthetics to materials and exhibiting a child-like engagement with process was the obtained goal. They achieved a sensibility that was simultaneously inviting and foreboding with dashes of humor.

THE KIDS LOVED IT. By John DeFaro

Rosie, Daisy and Kurt (left side) Luka and Luke (right side), in the garage painting organic materials for The Gator's nest.

Artist Candice Major cutting up fabric shared by Rethink Reuse Miami

Photo credit: Fernando Ramos

John DeFaro and the kids working on The Gator body

Ashley coloring frog for surroundings The Gator's nest

Kids coloring reptiles with makers before cutting them out

Guess who? Behind 2009 MY O MY stickers created by the artist

Mateo picking clam shell to color

This picture is just so cute--weaving fabric on Gator's head

Nina and Kamilla taking a break on hammock

On their waayyyy to the Everglades. See you next week when artist Onajide Shabaka will bring the kids Hidden in the Water Forest.

We would like to give special thanks to: Fernando Ramos, Candice Major, Cooper Underwood, Rethink and Reuse, and World Resource Cafe!