New York-based artist Michael Albert makes collages from cereal boxes and just published his first book, An Artist’s America. Last Saturday he visited The Carle.
Starting the afternoon in the Reading Library, Michael shared how he became an artist, how he makes his art, and read from his book.
After, guests followed him to the studio to try their hand at creating their own cereal box collages with encouragement and suggestions from the artist himself.
Guests were really inspired by Michael’s desire to make something beautiful, interesting and potentially great from what would otherwise sit in a landfill. I was struck with how the activity got kids and adults alike to look really carefully at something they might otherwise take for granted.
People worked individually and with friends or family to find all the letters in their name, or just create interesting compositions out of the colors and shapes found in discarded packaging. I’m sure many of the families who participated will be making cereal box collages for weeks to come.
Michael was very generous to offer postcards and bookmarks to any guest at the museum that day, and he even let each person who participated in the studio workshop choose a poster of his work to have signed and take home.
If you missed seeing Michael at The Carle, you can learn about his other upcoming appearances on his website.
Tags: cardboard, cerealism, Michael Albert, pop art, storytime