Messy, Magical, and Full of Color: A Look Back at the Saint Barnabas Arts Picnic

This year’s Messy Arts Picnic at Saint Barnabas was a vibrant celebration of creativity and community engagement, featuring an array of new and beloved art stations. Among the highlights were five new activities that sparked joy and imagination among participants.

One standout was the Colorful Candles station, where volunteers recycled used candles from the church altar, transforming plain white candles into vibrant works of art with melted crayon wax. These colorful creations not only delighted participants but also added a unique flair when lit, showcasing dripping hues of creativity.

Another hit was the Confetti Bookmarks station, where children crafted personalized bookmarks from recycled plastic report covers filled with confetti and sparkles. Each bookmark was meticulously fused shut by volunteers, ensuring the colorful contents stayed securely inside while preserving functionality.

Sticker Bags provided another avenue for artistic expression, allowing young artists to decorate gift bags with an assortment of stickers to hold their newfound creations. Egg Carton Flowers offered a nod to sustainability, as participants used recycled egg cartons and acrylic paints to craft delicate spring blooms.

The Handprint Collaborative Collage encouraged communal creativity, with attendees leaving their colorful handprints on a shared canvas throughout the event, culminating in a vibrant tapestry of collective artistry by day’s end.

In addition to these new attractions, the event welcomed back a roster of perennial favorites, including Paint the Staff, Salad Spinner Art, and Catapult Art, among others. Face Paint proved especially popular, with talented resident artists Cam and Madeline providing colorful transformations long after the official festivities concluded.

Below are some of the great time that was had: (keep scrolling down for more pictures below this gallery)

The community turnout was remarkable, drawing guests from near and far who had learned about Saint Barnabas through recent camp fairs and expos. The church’s presence at events like the Raising Arizona Kids Camp Fair and others had evidently paid off, with families eager to join in the messy fun.

Youth volunteers from Saint Barnabas played a crucial role in the event’s success, with middle and high school students dedicating their morning to ensuring everything ran smoothly. Their enthusiasm and dedication were palpable, contributing to a lively atmosphere that kept participants engaged well beyond the event’s scheduled end time.

Overall, this year’s Messy Arts Picnic was not just an event but a testament to community spirit and creative expression. With a record number of attendees enjoying activities until the final moments, it was clear that Saint Barnabas had once again delivered an event filled with creativity, joy, and lasting memories.

Here are a few highlights from the event. (A big thank you to Dina Horsman for these images below)