Mind-bending experiences at HCA

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Hinsdale Center for the Arts students Mikayla and Karina Delaney of Woodridge bend their minds and turn their line sculptures into solid forms by covering bent wire with fabric and plaster.

Updated: February 22, 2012 12:13PM

Students are bending their minds as well as wire when they translate their two-dimensional line designs into a three-dimensional abstract sculpture at the Hinsdale Center for the Arts.

Using the work of Henry Moore as inspiration, the solid forms they create teach them to consider both positive and negative space. Two new three-dimensional art classes are currently being offered at HCA: Explorations in Sculpture and The Third Dimension. Taught by Niema Qureshi, a practicing artist and art educator, the classes focus on the four basic sculpture techniques of carving, modeling, casting and construction.  There’s no limit to the exciting ideas children will explore in the Third Dimension!

The teaching artist, Qureshi,  was born in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.  She grew up in England and studied at Oxford Brookes University where she completed a bachelor’s degree with honors in Visual Studies and an masters of fine arts at Chelsea College of Art and Design in London.  After moving to the U.S., Niema worked as a museum educator at the MCA, Chicago, Terra Museum of American Art, and the Art Institute of Chicago.  She also teaches sculpture courses and teacher workshops at the Marwen in Chicago. 

The center is also offering Mini Glee & Broadway Mini Studio for ages 3-7 on Saturdays. This class focuses on movement and dance with a theatrical flair while singing Broadway favorites.  Registration for classes in dance, music, theater, visual arts, Zumba, Nia and yoga is taking place now for classes in session through March 23.  For more information and to register call (630) 887-0203 or visit www.hinsdalearts.org.