This hands-on program invites students to come together and contribute to the creation of a stunning mural that will adorn a community space. Guided by Reginald Adams, an experienced muralist, participants will delve into the world of mural artistry, learning fundamental techniques, color theory, and collaborative design principles. The workshop aims to foster a sense of unity and pride amongst participants by encouraging diverse perspectives and talents to converge on a shared canvas.

Embark on a journey of artistic expression and healing in this Mixed Media Collage Exploration Workshop! This engaging program invites participants to break free from traditional art boundaries and discover the boundless possibilities of mixed media collage creation. Led by Rhonda Radford Adams, this workshop will guide you through the exciting process of combining various materials, textures, and visual elements to compose unique and captivating collages. Whether you're a seasoned artist or a first-time creator, this workshop encourages experimentation, self-expression, and the joy of crafting a personalized masterpiece.

In this workshop participates will create a mixed media expressionistic work of art.  Each piece of art will be unique and a visual representation of the raw emotion, instinctive application and exploration of the art media in a variety of custom themes and objectives.  You will be guided by prompts that allows your natural creative instinct to fill the surface with visuals representations.  We can paint, drawing, assemble and explore.  The result will be a meaningful work of art that express the moment create in the now.   

This fun visual art workshop transforms any classroom, home, library, or afterschool setting into a classical art studio with easels and other essential supplies. They are introduced to the medium of watercolor pencils and learn basic color theory which includes an introduction to the color wheel and primary and secondary colors, along with complimentary colors. They will also focus on creating compositions using traditional visions (portraits, landscapes, and still life) as their subject matter. Participants will learn and utilize two techniques (graphite transfer technique and grid technique) to first develop their compositions.

This course is designed to facilitate participants to explore why and how some cultures value handwriting and calligraphy and how they can turn daily writing into calligraphy art. Participants will also discuss the significance of handwriting in this digital age.

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Available for after-school programs & weekends only

Mostly 2D Arts are not changeable, but sand art is! Participants explore different ways of manipulating sand as media to create artwork, then transfer it into another, and so on. participants will demonstrate their creative expression, cultural awareness, aesthetic thinking skills, and critical thinking skills by creating and transferring sand art, understanding, and judging artworks from others. Participants original sand artworks will not be saved as sand art is a temporary medium. Additional supply fee pending size of class. Photo pictures and videos will be saved to document participant work.

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Available for after-school programs & weekends only

In this workshop students will practice reflection, photography, and product design. They will photograph their finished art, prepare it digitally, and then use transfer paper and a heat press to create wearable art on shirts or tote bags. Teaching artist Ray Haliburton will guide them through the technical process while also helping them make creative decisions about placement and presentation. The session ends with a group “fashion walk” where each student showcases their wearable piece and shares one personal takeaway.

These sessions are designed to move students from creating something deeply personal, to letting others in on their process, and finally to making it public and wearable. It’s about giving them tools to express identity, connect with others, and see that what they make can actually live and breathe beyond the classroom. ​

David Maldonado is a Mexican - American visual artist and creative based out of Houston, Tx. His inspiration is drawn from the elements and the storytelling of folk art, street culture, and the Mexican muralist movement. The touchstone of his work is based on his experiences growing up and finding an identity in art where a common place could be shared with others. He has developed a well-recognized style tying together patterns, textiles, graphic and organic elements. Collaborative Mural Making involved participants in the process from design concept to execution. David also leads hands-on personal mural sessions where participants learn more about the art of mural making and create their own individual murals to take home. 

“Harlem was in Vogue” (1919 – 1929) wrote Langston Hughes.  Poets, novelists, dramatists and musicians were joined by painters and sculptors in an outpouring that established Harlem as the International capital of Black Culture.  From that movement, Harlem’s writers gained recognition but the visual artists remain virtually unknown. This can be done with any age group and can be offered as a one class retrospective of the three primary artists or a residency that studies the details of each artist full bodies of work as they were developed and influenced by the Harlem era and the period of history.

Learn about science and geometry through the eyes of artists from bending wire-like Calder’s mobiles to interpreting shapes from drawings in metal and clay, to creating your school’s own rolling Houston Art Car! This process teaches concepts of spatial relationships, balance, patterning, geometric shapes, and kinetic energy through participants’ own, hands-on artistic experiences.

Let's bring the art studio to your classroom! Art history explored through hands-on painting or sculpting allows participants to become part of the art making tradition and increases their tactile experience. Art history courses provide a certain amount of historical information about art, but the studio process allows one to become part of the universal tradition that has brought forth these works, as well as teaching many skills.

What if birds could fly, participants in buses could move down the road, and fish could jump out of the water all within your classroom? They can with an interactive mural! Artist Judy Malone-Stein guides participants to create a one-of-a-kind project, tailored to incorporate classroom or community content. Preschool age children can learn shape and color through mosaics, more advanced participants can study the colonization of America through depictions of historical timelines, high school participants can create a lasting mural for their community and school to enjoy. Along with creating the mural, participants learn conflict resolution, develop fine motor skills, and utilize creative writing skills.

Clay Bead Design is a hands-on workshop where students create their own wearable art from start to finish. Teaching Artists partner Open Dance Project  guides students in designing and hand-shaping beads out of polymer clay, exploring color mixing, pattern-making, and texture. After the beads are baked and hardened, students assemble their finished piece—bracelet, necklace, or earrings—while learning simple jewelry techniques. Every student leaves with a unique, fully finished piece that reflects their creativity and personal style.

Experience the mind-clearing benefits of connecting with the earth. Artistic creation has allowed people to find expression and communication since beginning of human history. Ancient cultures have used pottery to tell a story. This course will be an opportunity to work with clay as an art medium. Each participant will become familiar with the basic methods of construction and sculptural techniques. Our focus will be to learn the history of clay and learn hand building techniques like pinch, coil and slabs and how to use this medium to create a pot that tells a story. Pottery provides a new rich language to give voice to youth’s inner self through sculptural form allowing them to experiment with the physically touch of clay and discover new avenues of communication to connect with their creative spirit. Class minimum- 60 min

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Only available for afterschool and weekend 

Discover the magic of wool in this hands-on felting workshop designed for young creatives! Participants will learn how to transform soft, fluffy wool into solid forms using the ancient technique of felting—no sewing required. The workshop will explore both wet felting and needle felting, giving each student the opportunity to create their own small felted sculpture or design. Whether crafting a playful creature, an abstract object, or a nature-inspired form, participants will gain a foundation in shaping, layering, and working with wool fibers. Everyone will leave with a felted artwork of their own creation, a basic understanding of felting tools and techniques, and inspiration to continue experimenting with fiber art. No experience is necessary, and all materials are provided—just bring your curiosity and creativity!

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Only available for afterschool and weekend 

Join us for a hands-on workshop where nature meets art! In this session, you’ll learn the Japanese botanical technique of Kokedama, or “moss ball”—a beautiful and meditative way to grow plants without a traditional pot. Together, we’ll explore how to wrap plant roots in soil and moss to create your very own hanging or tabletop living sculpture. This workshop is perfect for young adults interested in creativity, nature, and DIY projects. No prior plant experience is needed—all materials are provided. Just bring your curiosity and a willingness to get your hands a little dirty! You’ll leave with your own handcrafted Kokedama, basic plant care knowledge, and a deeper connection to plants and the natural world. Let’s cultivate creativity and grow something beautiful together!

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Only available for afterschool and weekend 

Journey with Soulliaa Rae as she uses visual arts like photography, handmade craftings, personal styling and film to support student’s mental wellness and resiliency. This Socially & Emotionally (SE) focused artistic workshop and residency gives participants and opportunity to explore their internal needs through the world of visual arts. These sessions are designed to promote SE development, critical thinking and analysis skills, advancement towards self-actualization and support the reduction of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs).

Join artist Diana Sanchez and explore social emotional learning concepts through art. Participants experience various art forms from origami to paper collage projects with a literacy focus. Through direct, hands-on participation, participants express emotions through self-created projects with the guidance of an art therapist. Classroom projects are customizable and grade level focus may vary. Bilingual option available for virtual or in-person instruction. 

Using the work of famed African American artist Dr. John Biggers as inspiration, participants examine two-dimensional pattern as a compositional structure and as an end in itself. Resist techniques will be utilized in water media-based works. Residencies develop collaborative, larger-scale projects.

Go back in time to the fateful year 79 A.D., when massive volcanic eruptions from Mount Vesuvius covered Roman towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Excavations by archaeologists have revealed remarkable art, artifacts, and human remains. Through this program, art activities including fresco painting, mosaic, and architectural design/ rendering help participants understand and appreciate this ancient civilization. As Pompeii and Herculaneum were originally settled and greatly influenced by the Greeks and people of the Mediterranean area, Greek and Roman history, mythology and culture are tied in to this series of lessons.

Join Liz in learning basic hand-sewing techniques to create two or three-dimensional art pieces.  The basics of joining cloth will be taught as well as simple embroidery techniques.  This class can produce individual works by each student or a collaborative project such as a quilt.

Learn to sketch using gesture drawing and ink wash, a technique employed by artists from Leonardo da Vinci’s time to ours. Discover how to apply both light and shadow to give drawings depth, form, and movement. This basic exercise is one of the foundations for all two-dimensional work.

Plein air sketching is a timeless practice that invites young artists to immerse themselves in the beauty of surroundings. Through the use of both wet and dry media, they will learn capture the essence of natural landscapes and scenes alike. This creative exercise not enhances their artistic skills but also encourages them to their everyday experiences in a vibrant visual diary. Join us exploring the world through art!

Join us for an engaging workshop where you will design and create your very own sketchbook or journal! Participants will the opportunity to personalize or customize their books to perfectly match the theme of your event. We will also introduce age-appropriate binding techniques to your creations are not only beautiful but also functional. Come unleash your creativity and take home a unique keepsake!

Welcome to our creative program where students can unleash their imagination by designing their very own flying creatures or mythical beings! Through art storytelling, and collaboration, participants will bring their fantastical creations to life. Join us in exploring the skies and realms of magic, and let your creativity soar!

Weaving and creating Mandalas is a creative and beautiful journey.

Immerse yourself in the world of mandalas with Cindy, explore different weaving techniques to create them and benefit from this psycho-emotional process. Creating mandalas allows participants to express emotions through colors, shapes, and the combinations they employ. This process opens the channels of intuition, perception and active meditation. This energy is expressed through colors, radiant circular magic connecting us with

our being. Participants will create a weaving piece following the ancient technique. Projects are customized for each working group, their focus and grade level will be tailored to the needs of the group.

Meditation and healing music is part of our class.

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Participants must be able to physically tie a knot.

Mr. Washington is a visionary environmental artist whose wide range of techniques and materials defy a single definition. His work on canvas is bold and fluid, with subjects including African pastoral, American jazz, and free-form designs. A master of mixed media, Mr. Washington also creates spectacular functional and wearable art. In this class, students will learn to create art using found objects in their classroom and community. They will learn about different mediums to work with such as drawing, painting, and sculpture. Students will gain an appreciation for art around them and be able to think critically and create art from everyday objects.