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DIY foam stamp making is always a huge hit at Prairie! There’s something so rewarding about designing something that can be used again and again. You will need small pieces of wood and craft foam (we like the kind with a sticky back). In a pinch, you can also use styrofoam. Pro tip: use an exacto knife or a toothpick to carve details into the foam. Once you’ve stuck or glued the foam down, press into an ink pad and give it a go! Use your new stamp to make cards, add to drawings, create wrapping paper, or decorate envelopes. Create a personalized stamp for your Mom for Mother’s Day! As always, have fun creating and for more activities and prompts, visit our Creative Classroom.

Step One: Choose an artist that you love, that inspires you, tickles your fancy, makes you want to dance or draw or jump up and down. Step Two: Find a shallow box and decorate it in a way that would tickle your artist’s fancy, make her jump up and down, feel proud, feel the love ? Use objects and images you’ve collected or made. When you truly love the work of an artist, their work will seep into your bones and pour out through your own hand. You can’t help but already have the things you need to begin:) Our shadow box celebrates Georgia O'keeffe, painter, bone collector, designer, feminist, nature lover, fashion icon. Who will you celebrate?

Photo By Missy Kaiser

Alane Zannotti, 50 years old
Lives in a loft in Downtown Stillwater over District Bicycle

Occupation Works at Meridian’s Technology Center and also serves on City Council

How are you coping?
I have my good days and my not so good days. This is all such a new experience to try and figure out and it is very fluid. I let me myself feel frustrated and angry...but then need to get myself back to being positive. Wine on my patio has helped as well ?

What, if any, new rituals have emerged for you?
I have gotten back to exercising daily. Walking and running outside have been tremendous ways to get rid of stress AND give me a chance to get off my computer and phone.

The worst thing about quarantine.
As a City Councilor-feeling this huge weight of making the best decisions to keep the Stillwater community safe/healthy. Those decisions have major impacts on daily life: good and bad. Personally-the worst part is knowing that the “normal” we knew before this occurred, will not be back. Figuring out this “new normal” is tricky.

The best thing about quarantine.
I got a rescue dog, Molly. It was not planned but it happened and she has been an amazing addition to my life. I am not that superstitious, but I kinda think she was brought into my life at this time because I really needed it.

What are you most thankful for?
I am most thankful that this pandemic has not been extremely devastating to me personally or my community. Stillwater has truly done a great job in flattening the curve and I believe we spared people getting this flu because we did the proclamations that had people stay home. I am also thankful to serve on City Council and with a Mayor who truly cares about Stillwater.

Jen Johnson has done it again creating these fun Pinwheel pattern designs! You could also use gift wrap paper, magazine pages, and colorful brochures are some examples of interesting paper options. Avoid using cardstock or paper that is too thick or heavy to fold. Cardstock doesn't spin as easily either. Here are the instructions on how to assemble your pinwheel once you have colored your sheets. Thanks to firstpalette.com for the instructions.  Links to the coloring sheets are below. Make sure to share photos with us on what you create on any of our social media sights or by emailing us at infoartscenter@okstate.edu.

Flower Pattern download

Rainy Day Pattern Download

Photo By Missy Kaiser

Jen Johnson, Arts Education Coordinator, 48

How are you coping?
I am fortunate enough to have a stable income, good friends, a sweet dog to hang out with, access to walks and nature, and a great little place to call home. I'm doing OK.

What, if any, new rituals have emerged for you?
One of my new rituals, which I hope will remain after all of this, is to enjoy happy hour zoom calls with all my long-distance friends. It's so much more fun than a phone call. I've also had more (technology supported) time with my niece. We are sending dorky videos of our faces back and forth and it's brought me a great deal of joy. 

The worst thing about quarantine:
The worst for me has been the inability to make travel plans, which of course sounds very spoiled given the nature of what's happening. Even though I'm still connecting to students, colleagues, friends and family via zoom, I also find myself really missing the random interactions that used to populate my days- with strangers, neighbors, clerks at stores, etc. It's something that has surprised me.

The best thing about quarantine:
The best is seeing people slow down. More people walking their dogs in my neighborhood, more friends with time on their hands to talk, cleaner air, wildlife with some breathing room. For me personally, the best part has been how clearly I see what I have and how thoroughly I've given up thinking about what I DON'T have. 

What are you most thankful for? 
My health, my friends and family, my Mom being safe and sound in her own home, my dog, nature, this beautiful spring that we are having. Life!