Kids & Families (Age 5 to 12 years)

All ages (Kids under 13 must be accompanied by an adult) | Join us in the Smurfit WestRock Art Education Center studios anytime between noon and 3 pm on the first Sunday of every month! Each Open Studio Sunday features a new art activity inspired by objects from VMFA’s world–class collections or special exhibitions.

Ages 5–8 | With a focus on patterns and lines, learn about stained glass artworks—from Frank Lloyd Wright’s geometric shapes and straight lines to Louis Comfort Tiffany’s organic forms and 
vibrant colors—to inspire your own “stained glass” suncatchers. 

Instructor: Elizabeth Daly

Ages 5–8 | Gain a basic understanding of elements of graphic design while venturing through the galleries, filling your sketchbook with symbols, icons, and illustrations along the way. Every stop is a new discovery!

Instructor: Elizabeth Daly

Ages 5–8 | Stroll through the galleries in search of shiny examples of all things bright and shiny, from gilded frames to golden treasures! Decorate your own frames, boxes, and other gifts that glisten using metallic paints, foils, and sparkly embellishments.

Instructor: Elizabeth Daly

Ages 5–8 | Celebrate the year with new skills. Practice mark making using drawing pencils and transform basic lines and shapes into drawings with depth and texture. Then, create a still life of something from home or our studio.  

Instructor: Elizabeth Daly

Ages 5–8 | Use cardboard and other recyclable materials to form something new, beautiful, and functional. Use the STEAM thinking process to design, build, and test out your creation.    

Instructor: Elizabeth Daly

Ages 5–8 | Embark on an imaginary journey through a wintry landscape.  Explore habitats and animals that adapt to chilly environments and use collage and mixed media to make a cool landscape that captures the beauty of winter.     

Instructor: Elizabeth Daly

Ages 5–8 | Express your individuality through portrait art. Learn about basic 
facial proportions and add details to make a self-portrait that is unmistakably you.    

Instructor: Elizabeth Daly

Ages 5–8 | Fall in love with origami, the Japanese art of paper folding. Follow step-by-step instructions to create paper hearts, flowers, cards, and more. Fold as many origami designs as you like to share with friends and family. 

Instructor: Elizabeth Daly

Ages 5–8 | Learn about the history and traditions of Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations. Craft your own decorative lanterns to pay homage to the year of the fire horse. 

Instructor: Elizabeth Daly

Ages 5–8 | Search the galleries for artworks that glitter and sparkle. Use these as inspiration for your own multimedia works of art that shimmer and shine with jewels and gems.

Instructor: Elizabeth Daly

Ages 5–8 | Be inspired by Georgia O’Keeffe’s bold style. Experiment with large
scale painting and layering color to create vibrant, abstract works that highlight your own unique approach.

Instructor: Elizabeth Daly

Ages 5–8 | Take inspiration from historic illuminated manuscripts to design highly decorated lettering of your own. Incorporate patterns, symbols, hidden pictures, and metallic accents to make it shine.

Instructor: Elizabeth Daly

Ages 5–8 | Discover a prism of artistic possibilities at the end of this rainbow. Learn how lines and color can transform flat shapes into three-dimensional forms and practice on fun surfaces such as shimmery scratch-art boards and 
high-contrast papers.

Instructor: Elizabeth Daly

Ages 5–8 | Capture a moment in time. Practice drawing fruits, flowers, and more from observation using colorful pastels and drawing methods inspired by elements of Impressionism.

Instructor: Catherine Purdy

Ages 5–8 | Show appreciation for our beautiful earth with a collaborative 
installation. Build a mini model of a city using repurposed materials and recyclables while gaining a basic understanding of urban planning and sustainability.

Instructor: Elizabeth Daly

Ages 5–8 | Celebrate National Parks Week with an artistic adventure. Explore 
the galleries to discover how art connects with nature and history, then create a multimedia work of art inspired by the landscapes and wildlife of America’s beloved parks.

Instructor: Elizabeth Daly

Ages 5–8 | Experiment with patterns, color, and playful designs, one dot at a time. With colorful LEGO Dots, bricks, and building plates, construct a 2D work of art that echoes mosaics, pointillism, and even comic-style Ben–Day dots.

Instructor: Elizabeth Daly

Ages 5–8 | Ready to make a splash? Experiment with water and unexpected art materials to create scientific interactions within your own works of art.

Instructor: Elizabeth Daly

Ages 5–8 | Use nature as your muse—and your medium. Learn how artists are endlessly inspired by the outdoors, then arrange real flowers in innovative ways for a vibrant composition to take home. 

Instructor: Elizabeth Daly

Ages 5–8 | Try your hand at puppetry. Use a template and an array of materials 
such as fabric, yarn, and fun embellishments to make a puppet of yourself. Have fun adding characteristics that reflect you and your unique personality.

Instructor: Elizabeth Daly

Ages 9–12 | Go on a drawing adventure through the galleries and participate in creative art challenges, prompts, and exercises to boost your drawing abilities, skill, and confidence.

Instructor: Dan Kaczka

Ages 9–12 | Inspired by VMFA’s upcoming expansion, learn about architectural styles and elements that can be used to construct a three-dimensional model of your own mini museum.

Instructor: Dan Kaczka

Ages 9–12 | Share your love of art with someone special! Combining a variety of studio skills, have fun making creative gifts and cards with mixed media materials and imagination. 

Instructor: Dan Kaczka

Ages 9–12 | Ring in the new year with bold strokes, big ideas, and strong feelings. Try nontraditional painting methods and expressive techniques to turn emotions into art.

Instructor: Dan Kaczka

Ages 9–12 | Illustrate your point of view. Practice drawing techniques that create the illusion of depth using linear perspective, replicating how the eye sees space and distance.

Instructor: Dan Kaczka

Ages 9–12 | With inspiration from stone carvings and sculptural reliefs from the 
museum’s collection, use air-dry clay to sculpt your own high-relief figurative sculpture.

Instructor: Dan Kaczka

Ages 9–12 | Learn how to draw horses and other animals from the Chinese zodiac while discovering the traditions of Chinese New Year.

Instructor: Dan Kaczka

Ages 9–12 | Fold, snip, and glue with style. Work with paper-crafting tools and techniques to turn simple supplies into handmade cards and creative designs to share with friends and family. 

Instructor: Dan Kaczka

Ages 9–12 | Explore how portrait paintings and styles have transformed over 
time—from early European realism to Modern American abstraction. Tap into the everchanging styles and movements while creating a portrait of your very own.

Instructor: Dan Kaczka

Ages 9–12 | Be inspired by the rich tradition of Gee’s Bend quilts and create your own designs. Using pattern, color, and composition, piece together fabric scraps and papers to build a patchwork-style collage.

Instructor: Dan Kaczka

Ages 9–12 | Be amused by the silly side of Surrealism. Play around with a 
combination of ideas and dreamlike concepts to formulate surreal drawings. Then collaborate with peers in a fun game of opposites and imagination.

Instructor: Dan Kaczka

Ages 9–12 | In recognition of women in the arts, explore the bold style of Georgia O’Keeffe. From oversized flower abstractions to desert bones and 
landscapes, create big, vibrant artworks inspired by her iconic vision.

Instructor: Dan Kaczka

Ages 9–12 | Find inspiration from modern architects and designers whose 
works are featured in our collection. Create a small-scale model of an interior with handmade miniature furniture and decor using a variety of materials and techniques.

Instructor: Dan Kaczka

Ages 9–12 | Capture the essence of spring through paintings of the natural 
world. Apply color theory and brush techniques to reflect light and contrast in your work.

Instructor: Dan Kaczka

Ages 9–12 | Look to fashion for inspiration and construct a wearable, 3D work 
of art. Figure out how different materials can be used to express yourself and even connect with the art around you. 

Instructor: Dan Kaczka

Ages 9–12 | Tour the galleries for a closer look at landscape styles and    perspective. Then head to the studio (or outdoors, weather permitting) to apply watercolor techniques as you create your own scenic view.

Instructor: Dan Kaczka

Ages 9–12 | Work with a variety of tactile materials, paints, and surfaces to 
explore texture, color, and structure. Try innovative painting processes while layering onto a wood panel. 

Instructor: Dan Kaczka

Ages 9–12 | Be amazed by the Cochrane Atrium’s captivating mural and the artist who created it. Observe how shapes and patterns transform space before drawing your own abstract composition using artist-quality markers.  

Instructor: Dan Kaczka

Ages 9–12 | Learn how artists throughout history have used plaster as a sculpting medium. With an emphasis on form and space, try your hand at creating your own plaster-based work of art.

Instructor: Dan Kaczka

Ages 9–12 | Venture through the museum’s galleries to learn about South 
Asian art and culture. Hear stories about spiritual beings and natural creatures that are sure to inspire your own narrative works of art.

Instructor: Dan Kaczka

Ages 5–8 | Share your passion for art and science with friends and family this season! Observe scientific reactions and properties while making fluffy cloud dough, bouncy balls, and more. All projects include packaging and gift bagging.

Instructor: Elizabeth Daly

Ages 5–8 | Discover how music has shaped artists and artworks in our museum. Listen to songs and sounds to inspire a piece of art and note how certain melodies and instruments can affect both your mood and your mark making.

Instructor: Elizabeth Daly

Ages 5–8 | Learn about the ancient history of the Olympics, craft objects to help you compete in the Art Olympic Games and create a work of art based on your favorite Olympic event (real or imagined!). 

Instructor: Alex Parrish

Ages 5–8 | Invent your own tools for artistic innovation. Then use them to paint 
an abstract composition of your own.

Instructor: Esperanza Biewenga

Ages 5–8 | Explore an endless world of patterns with printmaking. Learn how to make your own stamps with materials such as clay, foam, and household objects. Enjoy printing new patterns and original works of art. 

Instructor: Esperanza Biewenga

Ages 5–8 | Enhance your drawing skills, style, and confidence. Learn about lines, value, and basic perspective while experimenting with a variety of drawing tools and techniques. Take a gallery walk to see masterworks and spark excitement.

Instructor: Tiffany Ferreira

Ages 5–8 | Let your imagination run wild. With a STEAM-inspired approach, 
explore an array of materials and design your own project (with a little guidance from the instructor). Endless possibilities await.

Instructor: Elizabeth Daly

Ages 9–12 | Explore the wonderful world of watercolor painting and hand-lettering while designing custom cards for loved ones. Experiment with watercolor washes, blooms, and brush control to create wintery scenes and learn basic calligraphy to write heartfelt greetings for the season. 

Instructor: Madeleine Eliason

Ages 9–12 | Stitch your way through the basics of embroidery. Learn hand stitches and use creative embellishments to craft designs that mix traditional 
techniques with unconventional surfaces and flourishes.

Instructor: Lauren Bleam

Ages 9–12 | Express yourself through mixed-media collages. Combine paint, 
graphics, patterns, layers, and textures to design an abstract self-portrait full of personal meaning. 

Instructor: Catherine Purdy

Ages 9–12 | Explore the connections between modern art, pop culture, comics, 
and advertisements. Create your own prints by crafting stamps and designing original images.

Instructor: Theo Tweeddale

Ages 9–12 | Gallivant through the galleries and unleash your creativity. Learn 
techniques for depicting space, volume, and depth, and make drawing exciting with unique approaches to composition, texture, and value.

Instructor: Lindsey Steele

Ages 9–12 | Ready to tell your own story? Immerse yourself in the world of 
cartooning by combining creative characters, comical compositions, and clever conversation into a zine of your own.

Instructor: Esperanza Biewenga

Ages 9–12 | Discover the art of cyanotype, a photographic printing process that 
harnesses the power of the sun. Enjoy playing with composition and exposure times as you create experimental prints while learning about the history of photography.

Ages 5–12, accompanied by an adult | Build a beautiful—and delectable—architectural structure out of gingerbread pieces, royal icing, and a buffet of colorful candies!
This workshop may not be suitable for individuals with severe food allergies. Email questions to youthstudio@VMFA.museum.  

Instructor: Alex Parrish

Ages 5–12, accompanied by an adult | Build a beautiful—and delectable—architectural structure out of gingerbread pieces, royal icing, and a buffet of colorful candies!  
Due to high demand, we’ve added another workshop on Saturday! Please only register for one gingerbread workshop (F4 or F5). Also note that workshops may not be suitable for individuals with severe food allergies. Email questions to youthstudio@VMFA.museum.

Instructor: Alex Parrish

Ages 5–12, accompanied by an adult | Create a personalized portrait of your family’s favorite furry or feathered friend using mixed-media collage and painting techniques. Bring in a picture of your pet or favorite animal (or 
choose from images in the studios) to use as the basis for your pet portrait.

Instructor: Catherine Purdy

Ages 5–12, accompanied by an adult | Paint playful watercolor scenes using fun techniques like washes, blooms, and layering, then learn ways to turn your favorite designs into cards, bookmarks, or mini keepsakes with hand lettering and pun-filled captions.

Instructor: Madeleine Eliason

Ages 5–12, accompanied by an adult | Inspired by the legendary Fabergé 
craftsmanship on display in the galleries, design and decorate your own ornate eggs and decorative keepsake boxes using metallic paints, shiny jewels, and more. 

Instructor: Lindsey Steele

Ages 5–12, accompanied by an adult | Pick up a needle and thread to explore the basics of embroidery. Create a design as you use simple techniques to stitch colorful designs inspired by patterns found in artwork from around the museum. 

Instructor: Lauren Bleam

Ages 5–12, accompanied by an adult | Learn and play with polymer clay. Practice basic techniques as you get a feel for this versatile modeling material, and sculpt your own tiny tableau inspired by objects in the galleries and your own imagination.

Instructor: Alex Parrish