Suggestions/ideas, please

[Hinton]

The local library has a children's summer reading program every year which kicks off at the end of May. I got a call today from the lady that runs the reading program and she told me that the theme this year is "Art". Apparently she found out that I'm a miniature painter and I've been invited, along with several local artists, to display some minis and talk a little bit about the hobby/craft, as well as provide (if possible) a kind of hands-on demonstration.

I'm thinking that I should have some single minis and a couple of dioramas on display and perhaps a couple dozen of unpainted minis for the demo.

So I find myself in a bit of a tight spot. Since it's going be kids 6 - 10 years old, I need to come up with things that are appropriate and most of the stuff I've done isn't appropriate (gory zombies, monsters and naked/half-naked women).

I plan on displaying the Oretgas that I've painted up since they're kind of western-themed, but I need to come up with a couple of dioramas.

So, can anyone suggest dioramas that won't scare the crap out of little kids? I'm thinking about perhaps something with pirates (kids like pirates, right?) and maybe a fantasy-themed one. But if anyone has better suggestions, I'd certainly like to hear them.

Also, does anyone know where I can pick up a bunch of minis cheap?

Thanks in advance for any help on this.

[moonrise]

hmm.... what about ultraforge's treewoman? it's kind of got that fairytale vibe. and maybe add those medieval kids from hasslefree ?

[demonherald]

hmm.... what about ultraforge's treewoman? it's kind of got that fairytale vibe. and maybe add those medieval kids from hasslefree ?

So you tae oe of the biggest god damn models out there and pair it up wih some of the smalest ???? hmmmm

Hey Brian what models do you want chief .?. I have allsorts of odds and sods kicking around .. I have an olley's armies (think that's who they were shut down now.) mini scene featuring alice in wonderland with the caterpillar.. It's based up on just a 50 x 50mmbase . added a couple of wyrd mushrooms to it.. It's sprayed up but nothing else if you want it give me a PM with your address and it's yours chief I'm never gonna get round to doing the bugger.

Gota few other minis knocking around your more than welcome to too jus agai let me know anything that comes to mind.

pirates wse I have the hassle free Tom meier piece .. the resin one .. not doing anything this end so if he's useful holler.

[moonrise]

i don't see a reason why not XD!

barrage it with a couple of animals from the reaper familiar packs and it's all good

[Hinton]

Thanks for the offer, Rob. I'll drop you a PM here in a bit.

@moonrise: the Treewoman is a bit out of my price range. However, mentioning a fairytale setting makes me think about setting up something like that (Hansel and Gretel, Goldilocks, etc), so thank you for that. Not sure why I didn't think of it sooner.

[Nathan Caroland]

If we can find somethign relatively kiddy friendly amongst the range I'm sure we can send along some to give out, demo with, etc.

Hrmmm, no killing, no ****, no arse ... dead people are probably out of the question, I'm sure if we bothered with the imps someone somewhere would say you are fornicating with the devil and enticing their child so that's out. Maybe Ruprecht but he's got a weapon so that might be out of bounds, though no adays kids watch much more violent crap.

Dunno, got suggestions, holler, I'll be happy to support the effort Bryan.

[Peterdita]

Sweet Hinton, sounds like a great project.

The first thing that came to my mind are the woodland scene little diorama kits. They have small kits that are pretty cheap, @8$ each and come in a few different settings. They are so easy you could break them into a few groups and let them build a scene hands on with basic instructions. (even that young should be able to glue and sprinkle, doubt if you even need scissors) But I think that would be fun hands-on project for them.
http://scenearama.woodlandscenics.com/ProductPage.cfm

As far as minis, I'd maybe relate them to something they know, Gi Joe, Barbie, w/e kids play with these days and then explain these are just smaller versions of their current toys. Foundry has a bunch of cheap minis you could snag in a bunch of differnt styles.

I'd love to hear what you decide to do.

[Hinton]

Thanks, Nathan.

Yeah, it's kind of a delicate thing; I don't want to offend anyone and considering how uptight some people are around here, especially in light of something that happened here in town just yesterday, there's really no telling what will set them off.

Think I'm going to have to err on the side of caution and try to keep things as tame as possible.

@Peterdita: I'll check out the scenery and see what they have. Thanks.

[moonrise]

i think hasslefree has some nice minis that won't "corrupt the innocence of today's youth". you can always grab some of their (non-naked) chicks like that miranda girl mini, or something like the praying Tiriel are always nice to look at. Hasslefree has a lot of friendly stuff that will surely appeal to many

also, their dwarf wizard apprentice Heyu can make for a comical scene without the gore ^_^

[Thryth]

Rasputina seems harmless, and she comes with a doggie, er kitty-cat, um, I dunno, something furry.