Create colorful scales on a sea creature headdress... and, perhaps, practice singing scales. ArtWeek in Marion will feature a myriad of family-friendly events.

With the bulk of the events organized by the Marion Art Center (the MAC), ArtWeek takes place from April 27 to May 6. The festival began in Boston in 2013 and was officially designated as a statewide festival in 2017. Marion's event runs parallel to the city's this year.

Parents and children from tots to middle-schoolers will find various artistic events on the agenda. Participation is free or low-cost, but online registration is required at www.marionartcenter.org/artweek.

For the little ones: Dancing and singing

On Friday, April 27, from 4 to 5 p.m., MAC dance instructor Teah Keogh will get the little ones ages 5-8 moving with Creative Movement for Kids. The free-of-charge event will feature dance games and will finish with a musical meditation.

Hugh Hanley presents the Circle of Songs for toddlers and preschool-aged children on Saturday, April 28, from 3 to 4 p.m. Songs, stories, finger plays and other musical activities will ensue.

Hanley "will have his guitar and banjo to lead us in some favorite children's songs, and we'll learn lots of great hands-on music/play activities," MAC organizers noted. The event is "wonderful interactive fun for the whole family."

Admission is free.

For older kids: Nature-inspired journaling

Middle-schoolers in grades five through eight can explore nature with Peter Stone, a Marion resident and award-winning artist and writer. Stone will host Art and Science Nature Journaling on Wednesday, May 2, from 4 to 5 p.m.

"Fire up your imagination and join us to experience the outdoors in a whole new way," MAC organizers said.

Stone, author of Dreams to Dance in Moonlight: Ways of Feeling, Seeing, and Imagining, will encourage participants to explore symbols in nature through journaling. Participants will create pen and watercolor artwork in journals and begin writing writing their own stories.

Admission is free and all materials are provided, but don't forget to register at www.marionartcenter.org/artweek.

For families: Create colorful headdresses, get a music lesson

Like to craft? Enjoy a great costume? Show off your artistic skills and create a sea creature headdress on Saturday, April 28, from 10 a.m. to noon.

Designed for children age seven and older and their families, participants will use papier-mache forms and beads, shells, sequins, and fabric to create colorful headdresses.

The headdresses will be used by actors in "Seascapes," the MAC's summer production. After the play concludes, the headdresses will be returned to their creators. Organizers note: "This could be the beginning of the most awesome Halloween costume ever."

Admission is $10, which covers the cost of materials.

On Saturday, May 5, from 4 to 5 p.m., musician and educator Colin Bradley and his students ages 5 through 15 will host a recital that will also serve as an open music lesson. Admission is free.

Works will include original compositions as well as contemporary, classical, and Broadway tunes.

Bradley will demonstrate musical phrases and challenge the audience and his students to recreate them.

"Whether you're an accomplished musician, an aspiring one, or a lover of music," organizers note, "you'll enjoy this fun family event."

For more information on ArtWeek, including a full list of events, visit www.marionartcenter.org/artweek.