Two minds plus one great idea equals fun for the family this weekend.

The 14th annual Community Arts Party will be held Saturday, Feb. 6, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Finley Gym. Children and adults will have the opportunity, once again, to learn how to create different art projects thanks to the many local artists and volunteers who donate their time and talent to the community.

The event, dreamed up by Ronna Kalish and Becky Titus Taylor, is twofold — getting children, parents and grandparents together in one spot as well as the community in general.

"I think it's really special," Kalish said. "Kids are jazzed about art and our goal is to provide quality, fun time doing art."

The event is free of charge and, according to Kalish, draws between 900 and 1,200 people throughout the county.

"It's become a tradition," Kalish said.

From candle dipping, tie dye, sculpture, woven heart pouches to creating ojos and designing a quilt, there will be something for everyone who attends to enjoy.

"It's hugely rewarding to have that many people come together," Titus Taylor said.

Nadine Ulibarri Keller will conduct a workshop on making corn husk dolls. She said this event gives her an opportunity to bring out her creative side. As a public health nurse and farmer, Ulibarri Keller loves the time she gets to spend teaching children and adults her craft.

"I don't get much of a chance in my day-to-day life to do anything artsy," Ulibarri Keller said.

One of the highlights of the Community Arts Party is Titus Taylor's centerpiece project that allows many children to work on the same project at the same time. This year's project is tall, silly hats, and without giving anything away, children can look forward to letting their imagination run wild and create a colorful, one-of-a-kind art piece.

"It's all about fun and creativity for a whole day," Taylor said.

Although some crafts, such as pottery making, cannot be learned in a day, Kalish said the point is to expose people to different art mediums and just get their hands in the clay.

"It's not just for kids," Kalish said. "It's for everyone."

Because the event is designed in an open house format, children and adults can participate in as many workshops as they choose, and once there, they can also enjoy lunch that will be sold by the Socorro High School chapter of the Rotary Club, in addition to baked goods for sale by the Socorro Co-op Nursery School.

"Come on out," Keller said. "It's a lot of fun."

The Community Arts Party is organized by New Mexico Tech Performing Arts Series and sponsored by the City of Socorro, New Mexico Arts: National Endowment for the Arts, Walmart, Dr. C. Bonner Oates, and New Mexico Tech facilities.

Contact Jackie Schlotfeldt