January 8: Paper Daffodils
We kick off the latest series of Free Craft Sundays in the dark of winter by creating bright yellow and orange daffodils from construction paper. Also known as narcissus, daffodils symbolize wealth and good fortune in some Eastern cultures. They represent the New Year (Newroz) in Kurdish culture and in classic Persian literature, this flower is a symbol of beautiful eyes, in much the same way we’d say one gets “rosy” cheeks from being outside in the cold..

January 15: Patriot Cubes
In connection with the current exhibition Patriots & Peacemakers: Arab Americans in Service to Our Country, kids will create cubes inspired by those in the gallery that tell stories of Arab Americans in the U.S. Armed Forces, diplomatic corps and the Peace Corps. We will have a discussion of the many ways people can contribute to their community and country, then decorate cubes commemorating service-minded people we know or admire. Bring a photograph or two to use.

January 22: Chinese New Year Dragon Hat
Known in China as Spring Festival, Chinese New Year is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. In 2012, it falls on January 23. Every Chinese New Year has an animal associated with it; this time it’s the Year of the Dragon. Kids will learn about the holiday, make their own festive Dragon Hats and play a Chinese game called Chase the Dragon’s Tail.

January 29: Printmaking
Originally used as a form of communication, printmaking is an art form found in cultures the world over. Prehistoric cave painters made prints of their hands; in about 500 B.C., Sumerians (who lived in what we now call Iraq) carved images onto cylinders and rolled them in wet clay to keep records of ownership. Local artist/educator Erin Moran Martinez joins us to talk about her creations that utilize printmaking and lead a printmaking session.

February 5: Pennsylvania Dutch Barn Sign
Pennsylvania Dutch refers to both a German dialect brought to America by 17th- and 18th- century immigrants from southwestern Germany and Switzerland who settled in Pennsylvania, as well as the immigrants themselves and their descendents. We’ll learn about the Amish and Mennonite communities of southern Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia by making colorful barn signs that traditionally were thought to bring good luck.

February 12: Basket Weaving
No one really knows when people began weaving baskets from grasses, stems, wood and other materials, but the oldest surviving baskets, found in Egypt, date back about 12,000 years. It’s one of the most widespread crafts on the planet, used by many cultures to store and transport goods. Today, we use baskets for storage and as decorative items. For Valentine’s Day, February 14, kids will make gifts for family and friends by weaving heart-shaped baskets and filling them with candy.