Mixed Media Collage – Tween Zone Challenge

Your challenge this week is to make a mixed media collage (and earn that Art Badge for Summer Reading)!

A collage is a great way to get creative because you can pretty much do whatever you want using supplies you can find around your house. Share a picture of your finished collage on social media and tag us or use the hashtag #PoudreLibraries.

Possible supplies:

  • Thicker paper for the base
  • Glue stick
  • Scissors
  • Magazines or newspapers
  • Photographs
  • Stickers
  • Washi or duct tape
  • Markers
  • Paint
  • Other trimmings like ribbons, buttons, etc

No two collages are alike! Start by brainstorming what you want your collage to be – do you want a specific theme like animals or a favorite place? A vision or action board to inspire you to achieve a goal? You could also use smaller pictures to create a new, bigger picture. The possibilities are endless! Once you have your idea, grab your supplies and get started.

Directions:

Make sure to start with a sturdy base like thick white paper, poster board, or even a piece of cardboard. Cut your images out carefully. You can cut out the whole image or cut them into different shapes. You might end up with more images than you actually use and that’s ok!

Before you glue everything down, lay out your images, stickers, and other supplies and rearrange until it’s just right. Then start gluing! Use your washi or duct tape as frames for images or just for pops of color.

Add your stickers, ribbons, or any other trimmings you might have and voila! You’ve got yourself a collage.

When you’re finished, take a photo and share it with us using the hashtag #PoudreLibraries.

If you want more inspiration for mixed media art projects, check out these books from the library:

Get Into Mixed Media by Janice Dyer

Pop Art by Alix Wood

The Paper Playhouse: Awesome Art Projects for Kids Using Paper, Boxes, and Books by Katrina Rodabaugh

Art Lab for Kids: 52 Creative Adventures in Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Paper, and Mixed Media for Budding Artists of All Ages by Susan Schwake

Happy collaging!