What do you look for in a good Jam?

Hello all! I just found out tonight that not only will I be teaching a face painting class at this year's Midwest Clown Association convention, but they also want me to run, or moderate a Jam. However, I have never RUN a Jam before, and would like to ask all of you what you look for in a good Jam. I know what I look for and what I like to do, but what are some suggestions that you all may have? I want it to be a successful Jam so people walk away talking about how awesome it was, not how they didn't get much out of it.

So, any suggestions? Thanks!

Ooo, I get to be first to get it out of the way...

Strawberry!

Ha! Sorry, I'm so not helpful. And I've never been to a jam. And it's past my bedtime, and I stayed home from work and have spent too much of my day here... so now i'm rambling.

You will do great with it! What you like will probably be what others like.

The last jam I went to the organizer gave out small door prizes and that was a treat! Items like a brush, glitter, colorful container...stuff like that. She gave a raffle ticket to everyone as they showed up and then later in the night pulled tickets.

That's a really neat idea Debi! I don't know how I would work that into the jam, as it will be an open jam - people can come and go as they please - but that sounds like a fantastic idea for my class! Thanks so much!

Anyone else have anything they especially like about past jams that I could incorporate?

I'm not sure if you're familiar with them, but there are some little activities called "ice breakers". They let you kind of meet everyone else while playing a cute little game! If you're interested, I could give you some examples, I'm sure you could incorporate face paint into them!

Please give examples I would like to plan a Jam.

Sure SillyIzzy! That would be great, I want my Jam to be really unique, and nothing like that has ever been done at any Jams I've been to.

Here's a list of some off the top of my head:

1. THAT'S ME!
-Have all the participants remain sitting. Have the facilitator say things like "I have a dog" or "I love face painting", and as the things are said, the participants stand up and say, "that's me!"

2. Silly Wiggle Game
-Begin the class a minute or so early. When people come in after you've began, stop teaching and tell them to remain standing. Then, have them wiggle, dance, jump, etc. When they're done, ask the others sitting down if they thought that was funny. Laugh along and then tell the people standing to sit, and the sitters to stand, and have them do what the standers did.

3. Mr. and Mrs. Right
-Create a fun little story about Mr. and Mrs. Right, incorporating the words "right" and "left" as many times as possible. Everytime you say the words, have the participants move in that direction.

These are just some examples off the top of my head, but I have a booklet around here somewhere. If you want to get some more examples, PM me and I'll search around for that old booklet. LOL.

I have an idea...

since people can come and go as they please... how about a challenge where you finish a base started by someone else. So, maybe everyone starts out by putting down a base of their choosing, then have to switch models. Might be a challenge to their creativity and have some fun results.

awesome idea Jbax!

Oohh... That is a great Idea Jbax! We could have a lot of fun with that! I'm definately gonna give that go, we'll see how it goes over!

Once we had to create a face while the model moved around the room to each painter. We each had thirty seconds to add something to the face that went with what the others contributed. I know I am fast, but with someone timing it, thirty seconds went by in a flash for me! >Whew<



It was an imaginative excersize that made us very aware of the time we spend on just part of the face!

It usually takes about ten minutes to complete a face. At a large Jam you could break it up into teams of 10-15 who want to participate with a model & timer for each team and see which team works well together, which gets done first, then applause decides the best face. You can also hand out challenges for each model, like woodland scene, dragon, monster, mountain scene, etc.

Check with the FP instructors to find out if they will jam with you, too.

You could also have a quick Show & Tell where each painter stands at their setup and holds up a particular tool, container or have a cool tip to share. Put a time limit of about a minute, or whatever you want, to keep it going around the room. Start with something you have to share to give the Jammers a better idea of what is expected in the time frame allowed. Some have nothing to share, some have two or three and you will be amazed at all the marvelous things they come up with

Some jammers are soo busy with what the event has to offer, often the thought of food or drink only comes when tummy rumbles can be heard across the room, so having drinks & snacks at your jam will be most appreciated.

Go a bit early to the event so you can hit up the event producer, vendors and hotel managment first thing for donations of goodies & refreshments to your Jam. Be sure to give lots of credit to those who provide donations and ask the hotel managment to print out a 8x10" sign that says who provided refreshments. Lay out the donations on a display table with a business card next to or taped to each item. As a vendor, I know that I will donate more generously if I get great advertising for it. If you have fast food places rite near the hotel, hit them up for coupons or free dinners, etc, too. Often out of towners aren't aware of what is available next door, down the street or around the corner.

Give away goodies throught out the jam, since some come & go, so no one has to wait until the end to get something. Have the jammers put their business card in a container provided by the hotel to draw the winning cards from. Get yer thinkin' hat on and be resourceful!

Just a few suggestions off the top of my head, and wishing you the best for your Jam.
Susan

This is a jam at a convention right? a jam room? I wouldn't bother with snacks/food/drinks or give aways unless this is something YOU wanted to invest in. It won't make the jam part better, but it could affect the attitude as food and presents/freebies would bring people in. I would make sure that there is water and glasses in the room so that everyone could easily get something to drink.

I will admit though, that I will/do splurge, and provide extras at some events because I know people love freebies and the thrill of winning. But that is going to be something that you want to do.

You might consider having a table of different paints and brushes for folks to try out...this would be especially useful for newer painters who are filled with the thousand questions of which brush should I buy and which paint is the right one! If you have someone who mans this table and is able to explain the differences and help with making teardrops and lines with the different brushes so that jammers get to try it for themselves.

The Jam is a place were everyone who is painting is going to gather to either see others painting, or to practice stuff that was presented in the classes. Someone mentioned having some of the instructors there and that is a top idea. That way jammers can get help with what was presented in class and have their questions answered.

Do Have a topic/theme for your jam, whether it is simply 'come to the jam room and jam with the instructors' or 'come to the jam room meet other face painters' or 'come to the jam, we'll have drinks and snacks, and you could win some wonderful prizes'

Good luck with your Jam. You will do great. let us know how it all worked out.

Jenny

Get lots of photos to share with us, too! Especially the fun parts that worked well for you and dont forget to get a photo of the goodie table!
You don't have to invest a cent when you have the generosity of the vendors producers & hotel managment. Remember, you have a captive audience of buyers that you can show all the goodies to. Sellers like that and painters will buy from those that support your jam ; )
Susan

WOW! There are some fantastic ideas coming out here! As of right now, I the instructors stand at 2: Myself and Pat "Pitterpat" Newton, and I hope, I HOPE she gets well enough in time to be able to come and do as stellar a job as what she did last year. If all else fails (and god forbid it won't) I'm pretty tight with a few of the other vendors who will be selling face paints and might be able to see if they would like to join in.

I love the idea of the idea of having drawings! I could easily get a few brushes or nice sponges or even a glitter or two to give out. I also love the idea of having a table of supplies just to try out, with some brushes and such so people could just practice. That may be one that one of the dealers may be interested in running.

Wow, I am so excited now I beginning to ramble! I have a lot of e-mailing and such to do now to set some things in motion before October!



Again, thanks you so much everyone! Still, anymore ideas are extremely welcome!