Kids Studio

Thu, Mar 14, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 2
Catherine Purdy

Ages 5–8 | Go on a gallery hunt getaway in search of all things green! Learn how to mix different shades of green to paint monochromatic marvels.

$30 (VMFA members $25)

Thu, Mar 21, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 2
Catherine Purdy

Ages 5–8 | Combine nature and art using plant parts as tools and watercolor paints as your medium. Experiment with a variety of resist techniques and non-traditional applications to create whimsical watercolor prints and paintings. 

$30 (VMFA members $25)

Thu, Mar 28, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 2
Catherine Purdy

Ages 5–8 | Indulge in Fabergé-inspired fun with elaborate egg decorating and a secret portrait project. Use jewels, gems, and more glittery things to add sparkly patterns and glistening designs to your imperial treasures! 

$30 (VMFA members $25)

Thu, Apr 11, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 2
Catherine Purdy

Ages 5–8 | See how Pablo Picasso and other modern artists helped shape the art world! Use pastels to draw still lifes from observation and practice blending colors and “breaking down” objects into basic lines and shapes.  

$30 (VMFA members $25)

Thu, Apr 18, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 2
Catherine Purdy

Ages 5–8 | Explore ancient vessels and other pottery throughout the Pre-Columbian galleries. Using air-dry clay in the studios, create pinch pots while experimenting with a variety of tools and techniques to add texture and motifs. 

$30 (VMFA members $25)

Thu, Apr 25, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 2
Catherine Purdy

Ages 5–8 | Discover a different point of view—atmospheric perspective! Focusing on foreground, middle ground, and background, learn how to use acrylic painting techniques to depict a magnificent mountain landscape.

$30 (VMFA members $25)

Thu, May 2, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 2
Catherine Purdy

Ages 5–8 | Did you know there are all kinds of secret bugs and insects hidden in works of art? Building inspiration from those seen in Dutch still life paintings, learn all about insect anatomy while sculpting a colorful display of bugs using a magical modeling compound.

$30 (VMFA members $25)

Thu, May 9, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 2
Catherine Purdy

Ages 5–8 | Explore the history and culture of Japanese Samurai. Venture through the special exhibition Samurai Armor from the Collection of Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller before designing your own Samurai-inspired wearable art!

$30 (VMFA members $25)

Thu, Dec 14, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 1
Dan Kaczka

Ages 9–12 |Get ready to spread artistic cheer in this wintery workshop! Combine the joyful tradition of papercraft with the spirit of generosity to create unique and vibrant designs as you cut and collage your own crafty compliments.

$30 (VMFA members $25)

Thu, Jan 11, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 1
Dan Kaczka

Ages 9–12 | Venture back in time through storytelling and gallery exploration to discover how ancient peoples lived and adorned themselves. You’ll be encouraged to create your own gilded objects and wearable accessories with ancient style.

$30 (VMFA members $25)

Thu, Jan 18, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 1
Dan Kaczka

Ages 9–12 | Take a gander at the contemporary art gallery to view how artists explore the age-old medium of painting in new and exciting ways. Try out new tools and techniques back in the studio to illustrate your own artwork.

$30 (VMFA members $25)

Thu, Jan 25, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 1
Dan Kaczka

Ages 9–12 | Journey through the South Asian galleries in search of works related to mythology. Hear fascinating stories about myths and culture as you try your hand at drawing these spiritual beings from observation.

$30 (VMFA members $25)

Thu, Feb 1, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 1
Dan Kaczka

Ages 9–12 | Explore the rich tapestry of culture, community, and artistry of African American artist Theaster Gates to inspire your own ideas and innovations! Enjoy experimenting with materials and processes to construct mixed-media sculptures.

$30 (VMFA members $25)

Thu, Feb 8, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 1
Dan Kaczka

Ages 9–12 | Share your love of art with others! Drawing inspiration from your closest friends and family members, craft cards and unique designs while learning techniques for lettering and illustrating with colored pencils.

$30 (VMFA members $25)

Thu, Feb 15, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 1
Dan Kaczka

Ages 9–12 | Discover the beauty and cultural significance of Kente cloth in the African galleries before learning how to weave your own intricate patterns using vibrant colored yarn and a simple loom.

$30 (VMFA members $25)

Thu, Feb 22, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 1
Dan Kaczka

Ages 9–12 | Listen to the stories and history behind artist Faith Ringgold’s painted quilts and narratives. Cut, collage, and combine different fabrics and mediums on canvas to depict your own narrative. 

$30 (VMFA members $25)

Thu, Feb 29, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 1
Dan Kaczka

Ages 9–12 | Celebrate the quadrennial holiday with VMFA! Let your inner creative spark fly in this open-ended, wacky, and wonderful art-making experience! 

$30 (VMFA members $25)

Thu, Mar 7, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 1
Dan Kaczka

Ages 9–12 | Reimagine photography— combining tactile elements and visual storytelling—and create lively mixed-media works of art inspired by Virginia artist Willie Anne Wright’s lifelong work in the field.

Thu, Mar 14, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 1
Dan Kaczka

Ages 9–12 | Experiment with an array of materials to create an interior scene filled with color and sparkle! Pay homage to contemporary women artists such as Mickalene Thomas by creating cool collages that focus on personal identity.

Thu, Mar 21, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 1
Dan Kaczka

Ages 9–12 | Get a feel for polymer clay! This versatile modeling compound hardens when oven-baked, while still holding its shape and color. Small-scale objects and tiny treasures throughout the museum are sure to spark creative ideas to make your own mini sculptures, beads, and more.

Thu, Mar 28, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 1
Dan Kaczka

Ages 9–12 | Examine one-point perspective, the technique developed during the Renaissance to show three-dimensional forms on a two-dimensional surface. Practice this skill with classmates before illustrating depth and perspective in your own drawings.

Thu, Apr 11, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 1
Dan Kaczka

Ages 9–12 | Seek out the tranquility of the traditional art of ink painting and find inspiration throughout the East Asian gallery. Take pleasure in grinding and mixing your own ink, learning how to handle a bamboo brush, and painting scenes from the natural world.

Thu, Apr 18, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 1
Dan Kaczka

Ages 9–12 | Celebrate Earth Day by studying native plants, flowers, and pollinators to understand the importance of our local botanicals and learn how to draw detailed illustrations of plant anatomy.

Thu, Apr 25, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 1
Dan Kaczka

Ages 9–12 | Practice drawing horses from observation in the galleries with a focus on scale and proportion before trotting back to the studio to paint your favorite pony.

Thu, May 2, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 1
Dan Kaczka

Ages 9–12 | Learn about the Japanese traditions of the samurai in this historical exploration of ingenuity and culture. Craft your own armored artwork inspired by this revered tradition.

Thu, May 9, 4:30–6 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 1
Dan Kaczka

Ages 9–12 | Take a moment to appreciate the wonderful women and mothers in our lives, as well as moms represented in paintings throughout the museum, with a focus on Impressionism and artist Mary Cassatt. Get inspired by her depictions of mother and child and paint your own Impressionist-style portrait of a woman you honor. (Student are encouraged use their imagination but can choose to bring a photo of their person.)

Sat, Jan 20, 1–4 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 2
Kerry Mills

Ages 5–8 | What better place to strengthen your artistic talents than in an art museum? Enhance your drawing skills and confidence as you focus on the elements of art while drawing from observation.

$40 (VMFA members $30)

Sat, Feb 10, 1–4 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 2
Kerry Mills

Ages 5–8 | Celebrate the Lunar New Year with festive art activities inspired by China’s rich history and traditions, including lucky lantern making and Year of the Wood Dragon puppets. 

$40 (VMFA members $30)

Sat, Feb 24, 1–4 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 2
Dan Kaczka

Ages 5–8 | Get ready to mold your imagination! Inspired by sculptural and functional ceramics from the museum’s past and present, create your own air-dry clay vessels and sculptures.

$40 (VMFA members $30)

Sat, Mar 9, 1–4 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 2
Elizabeth Daly

Ages 5–8 | Gather inspiration from the South Asian galleries and the ancient Hindu festival, Holi, to create colorful works of art celebrating the arrival of spring. Explore color theory using vibrant and varied paint pigments.

$40 (VMFA members $30)

Sat, Mar 23, 1–4 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 2
Theo Tweeddale

Ages 5–8 | Gain insight into modern movements and how styles differ over time. Focus on color mixing, acrylic applications, and other techniques to paint an original abstract composition on a large‐scale canvas.

$40 (VMFA members $30)

Sat, Apr 13, 1–4 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 2
Kassidy Strosnider 

Ages 5–8 | Venture through the galleries in search of elephants in art while gaining insight into museum layouts. This exciting scavenger hunt experience transforms learning into an adventure, complete with animal-inspired art making fun in the studios!

Sat, May 11, 1–4 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 2
Elizabeth Daly

Ages 5–8 | Unleash your inner warrior with a dash of creativity! Delve into the fascinating world of the samurai while crafting your own impressive headwear and other ancient armor-inspired wearable art.

Sat, Jan 20, 1–4 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 1
Theo Tweeddale

Ages 9–12 | Explore the world of drawing as you discover styles from past to present. Dive into drawing principles, perspective, and fine details using diverse media, igniting your unique artistic expressions.

$40 (VMFA members $30)

Sat, Feb 10, 1–4 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 1
Dan Kaczka

Ages 9–12 | Roar! Celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year—the Year of Wood Dragon—through culturally inspired art activities such as lantern making, dragon drawing, and brush paintings! 

$40 (VMFA members $30)

Sat, Feb 24, 1–4 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 1
Lizzie Green

Ages 9–12 | Combine colors and textures to create innovate works inspired by paintings and quilts in VMFA’s collection. Design mixed-media compositions—from collages to hand-sewn creations—that utilize decorative papers and fabrics, beads, or other adornments that spark your interest.

$40 (VMFA members $30)

Sat, Mar 9, 1–4 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 1
Alex Parrish

Ages 9–12 | Make and bake with this vibrant and versatile modeling medium that hardens when oven-baked. Learn methods for sculpting miniature marvels of objects from your imagination!

$40 (VMFA members $30)

Sat, Mar 23, 1–4 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 1
Kassidy Strosnider

Ages 9–12 | Create captivating multimedia artworks, instant photos, and images influenced by Virginia artist Willie Anne Wright. Observe mesmerizing photographic prints and paintings and gain insights into her impressive career alongside techniques used in select works on view.

$40 (VMFA members $30)

Sat, Apr 13, 1–4 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 1
Catherine Purdy

Ages 9–12 | Boost artistic talents and confidence while learning the fundamentals of watercolor painting! Dive into color blending, layering, and brushwork with abstract creations, culminating in stunning still life paintings that showcase your newfound skills.

$40 (VMFA members $30)

Sat, May 11, 1–4 pm | Art Education Center, Studio 1
Anh Do

Ages 9–12 | Learn about the history of manga illustration! Explore the art and culture of this Japanese-style comic art through presentation, discussion, and traditional-style drawing exercises.

$40 (VMFA members $30)