Everyone has a story to tell. Combine character drawings, environments and dialogue to create your very own picture books. This course gets everyone drawing their own characters on the first day, and then dives into techniques for visual storytelling. We'll look at picture books at the beginning of each class for inspiration and create several […]
read moreBring mythical creatures and characters to life! Starting with historical figures and or characters from your favorite fantasy books and shows. You'll put your imagination to the test while learning the magical ways watercolor can contribute to developing these beautiful characters.
read moreLearn the fundamentals of black and white photography. We'll take photo field trips and use the darkroom to print our photographs. Ages 9 – 11 will use pinhole cameras and learn to create photograms. For ages 12 – 14, lessons include camera operation, composition, lighting, subject matter, and other principles. Ages 12 – 14 may bring their own […]
read moreCreate new works of art using found objects and wire! We'll use our hands and tools to bend, shape, and attach. As you create your sculpture, you'll choose from lots of discarded items like old jewelry, electronics, metals, plastics, stones, beads, cloth, wood and more.
read moreEmbrace your love of color by learning to make stained glass. You'll select and design stained glass patterns, then cut, grind, clean, foil and solder your creation using the copper foil technique and lead-free solder. Beginners will complete a simple suncatcher and more experienced students will explore more advanced designs. We'll end class with our own […]
read moreAre you curious about making 3D models on the iPad? Learn the basics of sculpting 3D models in NomadSculpt, an approachable and fun program with all sorts of practical applications.
read moreGet into your feelings! Using the movie Inside Out as inspiration, we will connect with our emotions and practice expressing ourselves in a healthy way—by getting creative and making art. Each day we will get in touch with a new emotion and make a work of art that is influenced by that character's personality. We’ll […]
read moreOrigami is the relaxing yet challenging Japanese art of folding paper to create shapes and figures. Students will make a variety of creations using cutting and folding techniques. We’ll paint and decorate paper and make things like fans, flowers and stars.
read moreMake action figures out of discarded toys and parts! We will be using parts of existing toys to alter, reassemble and make unique creations. We will be upcycling and sculpting additional parts out of clay and whatever else we can find! Bring your own toy parts or use ours!
read moreLearn to make wearable, metal earrings, necklaces and bracelets! We’ll cut, texture and shape metal using traditional metalworking tools, and try stamping and making holes for attaching. Then, we’ll sand, file and finish before exploring wire and beading techniques to join our pieces together. (Students in the 12-14 age group will have the opportunity to […]
read moreMake whimsical small worlds with a variety of materials like clay, collage, paint, natural materials, even shrinky dinks. Keep your creation indoors or bring components of it outdoors to your own garden. We'll also make some fun garden art to help lure gnomes and fairies into your garden.
read moreThis hands-on class is perfect for anyone who wants to explore the possibilities for self-expression in watercolor. In this class, we will play around with drip, wash, tilt, splatter, and splash techniques, and we'll discover how other materials can interact with the paint. We'll also talk about color theory, and students will learn about combining […]
read moreIn this class we will work continuously to fill a big piece of paper with tiny details. We will practice drawing and painting techniques on paper with pencils, pens, ink, and watercolor. Each artist will choose a guiding theme to inspire their artmaking. We will exercise patience and persistence leading to the ultimate reward: how […]
read more"Mixed-media" refers to any art making process that involves more than one art supply. In this fun and experimental drawing class, you will make creative drawings of a variety of subjects using traditional media like pencils, crayons, and markers, but also using unconventional tools like sticks, leaves, string, and more! During each class session we […]
read moreLearn the art of making mini-zines. Zines are small books made by artists, activists, and musicians, among others. We'll discuss the history of zines and then make our own.
read moreThis class is a great way for kids to learn how to work within a budget to create a completely unique puppet! Students will use objects and fabric found at the thrift store down the block from VisArts. This class helps give kids agency in making their own decisions for their sculpture while making things […]
read moreWe'll learn basic embroidery stitches (including back stitch, running stitch, and more), and express ourselves by stitching words and pictures with thread and fabric. We'll also see how to design our own pieces, to create a one-of-a-kind piece. Lots of bright colors, lots of opportunities for self expression!
read moreScreenprinting is a fantastic way to create one-of-a-kind shirts and posters for any occasion. In this class, we will explore many different techniques that can be used in the process, such as drawing on a stencil or drawing freehand. You'll learn about the process of printing, registering colors, and experimenting with colors.
read moreLearn how to transfer an image to a block to make a multiple (many of the same image). Students will learn various printmaking techniques and trade with other artists.
read moreMake a basket of your very own! Learn to hand weave a container from vines, grasses, and hardwoods. Students will learn fun dyeing techniques with kool-aid or natural dyes like beets and turmeric to enhance their basket creations as well!
read moreWe will paint flower motifs on white vegan leather, precut in a tote bag shape. On the flat surface, we'll begin by sketching the flowers with pencil, and then we'll start painting using acrylic paints. We’ll apply several layers of paint until it's finished. While the paint dries, we’ll cut out the straps, inside lining, […]
read moreIf you've been inside VisArts, chances are you've seen our giant paper-mâché pencils and dog-sized spools of thread with needles as long as your arm. It’s time for a refresh of super-sized art supplies around the building! In this class, students will work together to make giant versions of everyday art supplies using paper-mâché, leaving them […]
read moreThink big and get your hands dirty with clay! In this class, you can make anything you’d like—from figurative sculpture, to abstract shapes, to large and ornate vessels. Craft the most magnificent object and end up with an incredible piece of art.
read moreCalling all young ceramicists! Use hand building and learn basic clay skills like coiling, pinch pots and slabs to create one-of-a-kind objects from your imagination. Throughout the week, we'll create different projects with air-dry clay which can be taken home as soon as they're finished.
read moreDream up components of your own tiny universe using a variety of media and techniques! With a heavy emphasis on reusing found objects, we'll create sets of miniatures that will be combined to create a tiny universe of your very own. Create a scene in outer space, underwater, in an upside-down world, in your own […]
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