Children's art classes currently enrolling for:
Our goals for learning within the children/teens program include:
- presenting classes focused on developing foundational concepts and skills within distinct media which are aligned with the stages of artistic development
- providing individualized attention to each student encouraging the representation of unique creative perspectives and the development of the portfolio
- providing opportunities for students to talk about their perceptions, their experience, their own work and the work of others reinforcing vocabulary specific to art making
- incorporating gallery learning in the museum in order to create opportunities to respond to the original work of other artists and to enhance student awareness of art, artists, and context
- providing an end of session synopsis outlining projects produced, references used, and skills and concepts covered
no class on 9/26
Our Art Studio classes offer an exploration of art making in all its forms. Students will have fun experimenting with the basic materials and techniques all artists use and will be encouraged to express their own individual viewpoint. Some of the materials that will be used include collage, colored pencil, oil pastels, watercolor and acrylic paint, air-dry clay, wire and papier mâché. Students will visit the museum to get inspiration and learn about other artists’ work. Students may take the same level class more than once; lessons will not repeat. All supplies provided.
Register For ClassesStudents will explore everything related to painting and drawing including techniques with acrylic and watercolor paint, various drawing pencils and charcoal, and how to combine various materials in one piece. They will look at contemporary examples to inspire exciting artwork of their own. All supplies included
Register For ClassesJoin us for this fun drawing class which takes place both in the museum and the studio. Students will learn a variety of drawing techniques as they study artwork on display at the museum, practicing shading, different types of lines and how to look carefully in order to capture correct proportions and shapes. The instructor will explain how different types of pencils and materials can make drawings look very unique. Each student will go home at the end of the 8 week session with a portfolio of sketches and finished works.
Register For ClassesJoin us for this fun drawing class which takes place both in the museum and the studio. Students will learn a variety of drawing techniques as they study artwork on display at the museum, practicing shading, different types of lines and how to look carefully in order to capture correct proportions and shapes. The instructor will explain how different types of pencils and materials can make drawings look very unique. Each student will go home at the end of the 8 week session with a portfolio of sketches and finished works.
Register For ClassesNo class on 2/21.
Students in this class will explore various printmaking processes, using ink and brayers, linoleum blocks and other tools to create unique images that can be printed over and over. Instructors will take students to the museum galleries to study directly from the prints on display there. Students will also have the opportunity to create mixed media or collage pieces as they learn about self-expression, composition, layering and color relationships.
Register For ClassesNo class on 10/7 and 11/11.
Join us for this fun class exploring everything related to 3D artwork including relief sculpture (which can hang on the wall), kinetic sculpture (which can move), environmental sculpture (natural materials displayed outside), and more. Inspired by historical and contemporary examples including works in the museum, students will plan and execute a series of pieces using wood, wire, clay, Papier Mache, natural and found materials, textiles and more.
Register For ClassesNo class on 10/7 and 11/11.
Join us for this fun drawing class which takes place both in the museum and the studio. Students will learn a variety of drawing techniques as they study artwork on display at the museum, practicing shading, different types of lines and how to look carefully in order to capture correct proportions and shapes. The instructor will explain how different types of pencils and materials can make drawings look very unique. Each student go home at the end of the 8 week session with a portfolio of sketches and finished works.
Register For ClassesNo class on 10/7 and 11/11.
Our Art Studio classes offer an exploration of art making in all its forms. Students will have fun experimenting with the basic materials and techniques all artists use and will be encouraged to express their own individual viewpoint. Some of the materials that will be used include collage, colored pencil, oil pastels, watercolor and acrylic paint, air-dry clay, wire and papier mâché. Students will visit the museum to get inspiration and learn about other artists’ work. Students may take the same level class more than once; lessons will not repeat. All supplies provided.
Register For ClassesNo class on 10/7 and 11/11.
Taught by artist and fashion designer Catherine Byrne, this class provides a comprehensive overview of fashion design practice. Students will learn how to draw the traditional fashion figure complete with gestures, clothing details and fabric drape. Color theory, concept development, mood board assemblage, and some basic pattern making skills will be covered. Students will also learn about trend forecasting, textile science, and will be introduced to influential designers from the past. By the end of the session, designers will create an original, well-presented fashion collection. All supplies included.
Register For Classes
Parents, take advantage of a chance to go shopping or get a bite to eat – it’s a night just for the kids with us at the Danforth. Children will enjoy creating a magic wand and decorating a spooky hat to welcome the fall season. We will even have a scavenger hunt in the museum! Includes pizza, lemonade and a treat to take home. Drop off is between 5:45-6pm. Pick up is at 9pm. Perfect for children from kindergarten to grade 8.
Parents, take advantage of a chance to go shopping or get a bite to eat – it’s a night just for the kids with us at the Danforth. Using upcycled sweaters, children will stitch together their own set of mittens and decorate with buttons, beads or ribbons. We will even have a scavenger hunt in the museum! Includes pizza, lemonade and a treat to take home. Drop off is between 5:45-6pm. Pick up is at 9pm. Perfect for children from kindergarten to grade 8.
Register For Classes
Parents, take advantage of a chance to go shopping or get a bite to eat – it’s a night just for the kids with us at the Danforth. Have fun making boxes out of folded paper, adding handles, feet and other decorations- to give as gifts or to hold treasures. We will even have a scavenger hunt in the museum! Includes pizza, lemonade and a treat to take home. Drop off is between 5:45-6pm. Pick up is at 9pm. Perfect for children from kindergarten to grade 8.
Register For Classes
Important Information for Children's Classes
Yes! Danforth provides everything students need to experiment with materials and practice techniques. Students learn to select from various sized brushes and types of paint, different types of drawing pencils and a variety of other drawing materials. Our studios are equipped with easels, stools, painting tables and specialized lighting to enhance the learning experience.
In our programs, we have noticed that mixed peer groups can often support learning as they approach lessons differently. Younger artists can emulate techniques of older artists, and the older students can appreciate the exuberance and fearlessness of the younger students. Our small class sizes allow instructors to provide individualized instruction to all our artists in the studio.
Not usually. Our classes maintain a portfolio of artwork which allows students to keep collect all process pieces such as sketches together with finished works. It also allows them to go back to revisit ideas or to keep working on pieces if needed over time.
Lessons in the Children’s Program at the Danforth are designed to build upon each other throughout the session, reinforcing concepts and techniques which allows for growth over the period of the class.
We hold an informal exhibition of artwork on the last class so that students can have practice experiencing showing their work, and discussing what they learned.
Yes! At some point during the session, teachers will take a “field trip” to the museum to view works on display. Students will often have the opportunity to sketch in the museum as they learn how to actively view artwork in a museum, and to think critically about what they see and notice. We emphasize visual literacy skills during these visits so that children learn how to understand techniques, genres, content, and the elements and principles of design which are the building blocks of art making.
Teaching here is such a joy Angela Ackerman, instructor—Learn more about Angela
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