Set It Up: A Workshop in Repurposed Materiality

with Luka Vergoz

ONE DAY SESSION, OFFERED TWICE • 11/16 & 12/7 • 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

All Ages • FREE Drop-in

Set It Up: A Workshop in Repurposed Materiality, is an opportunity to meet Luka Vergoz and learn their process. They will demonstrate how to use discarded and recycled materials to create objects, as well as explore scale and landscape. Luka’s installation has places that are lifted up from the floor, providing a range of heights within the landscape for participants to address. Participants will build and create objects with discarded materials such as paper, cardboard, and wood, and then add their creations to the installation.

Learn more about the gallery exhibit here.

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Edible Pigment Painting

with Elissa Callen

ONE DAY SESSION • 9/14 • 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Ages 14 & up • $35 – $75 sliding scale

Join us for a morning of painting and experimental printing using paints made from plant materials. The ingredients we will use will focus on 3 edible plant sources, including plant scraps commonly tossed out in kitchen compost. Participants will have the opportunity to examine the use of other edible plant sources in this class, as well. Instead of using plastic-based paints and toxic materials, reconsider natural materials under your nose that have provided color for millennia.

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Intro to ProCreate

with Zoe Oliver-Grey

THREE DAY SESSION • 9/7, 9/21, 9/28 • 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Ages 9-13 • $75 – $125 sliding scale

Using iPads and physical art supplies, students will create their own short animated stories! Students will create physical characters using clay, paper, pencils and paints and then upload images of their creations to iPads. Once uploaded into Procreate, students will be able to add digital embellishments, and create an animated short story starring their character! Over the course of the three sessions students will become more proficient with Procreate and be able to animate and design their own stories.

Missed out on a workshop? Join our mailing list to stay in the loop about SATURDAYS at the LAB!

Drawing: Make, Create, and Repeat

with Luka Vergoz

ONE DAY SESSION • 8/17 • 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Ages 12-17 • $10 – $25 sliding scale

Drawing: Make, Create, and Repeat is a drawing class focused around the idea of repetition. The class uses repetition as a tool to learn drawing as well as a method of expression art-making. Drawing techniques will include both drawing from observation and from memory/imagination. In this class we will talk about the meaning behind repetition and why we would utilize it in art making. We’ll learn how repeating can help show important ideas and compare different elements. We’ll also see how repetition can tell a story about time, movement, and change.

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Drag Story Time + Crafting

with Kico Le Strange & Cy Berspace

6/29 • 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

ALL AGES • FREE W/ RSVP

Happy Pride! Come celebrate with the Junior Center of Art and Science!

Junior Center Teaching Artist Marco Garcia AKA Kico Le Strange, and friend Cy Berspace, will be reading 3 LGBTQIIA+ children books, one of which will be Julian The Mermaid. After story time, Kico will guide the young creatives through an oceanic craftmaking excursion; making sea crowns!

Cabinet of Botanical Curiosities

with Sigrid Hubbell & Julia Marchand

ONE DAY SESSION • 11/11 • 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Ages 18 & up • $40 – $60

Join us for an enchanting day in the Cabinet of Botanical Curiosities. Explore a curated collection of unusual plants, flowers, and seeds, all home grown in Oakland by local horticulturist, Sigrid Hubbell. In This interactive workshop you will explore building your own botanical arrangements and dive into the world of botanical illustration as our Teaching Artist, Julia Marchand guides you through drawing plants and flowers in your vase. Step into a realm where nature’s secrets come to life. Leave with a hand selected bouquet of dried flowers and an illustration.

Missed out on a workshop? Join our mailing list to stay in the loop about SATURDAYS at the LAB!

Costume Designer’s Boot Camp

with Stephanie Verrieres & Marco Garcia
TWO DAY SESSION • 10/14 – 10/15 • 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Ages 8-16 • $50 – $70

Join us for the Costume Designer’s Boot Camp and discover the magic of turning your imagination into reality. Learn the art of transforming everyday fabrics and found materials into extraordinary costume pieces. Discover how to breathe new life into old textiles and unleash your creativity. Bring your own costume design ideas, fabrics, and patterns, or dive into our selection of fabrics and found materials for inspiration. Whether you’re a seasoned designer or a novice, this workshop welcomes all levels of sewing experience. Consult with our experienced teachers and fashion mentors, who will be by your side every step of the way. They’ll help you refine your ideas, troubleshoot challenges, and bring your costume design to life.

Missed out on a workshop? Join our mailing list to stay in the loop about SATURDAYS at the LAB!

Couture Crafting

Get ready to join JCAS and artist Kelly DeFayette for a festive and unconventional holiday crafting workshop with a twist! 

This is not your grandma’s crafting class; we’re taking holiday decor to a whole new level. Embrace your inner artist and explore unique and modern ways to create with paper, found objects, and even lights!

Saturday, Dec 7th 6pm – 9pm
$50 – $75 Sliding scale


Financial aid available. Email us at [email protected] for details

What’s Included:
  • Inspirational ideas and templates
  • All necessary crafting materials and tools
  • Expert guidance and demonstrations

Refreshments will be available for suggested donation

Who Can Attend:

This workshop is open to adults of all levels, whether you’re a beginner or experienced crafter. It’s a great opportunity to socialize, learn new skills, and have fun.

There will be FIVE crafting stations!

  • Ornaments
  • Luminaries
  • Paper bag snowflakes
  • Holiday card printing
  • Book centerpieces

All proceeds go directly to supporting youth arts and science education in Oakland through the Junior Center of Art and Science.

Don’t miss this enchanting opportunity to catch up with friends and get a jump on your holiday preparations! Buy tickets today!


ABOUT THE ARTIST

Kelly DeFayette is a Bay Area colorist who works on wood panels in shapes that vary from the traditional, to circles, and then irregular and tessellating polygons. Very process driven, the shape of the panel informs the palette and the decisions of application. Exploring color is the focus, and the intersection of the craft of the object, the painting materials, and the palette chosen, result in the final piece. Moving from smaller tessellating works towards larger installations and groups of irregular shapes, she continues to push towards a more sculptural finish and to remove evidence of the maker’s hand from the finished work.

Kelly graduated from Munson-Williams-Proctor School of Art and moved to the West Coast to attend SFAI. She has lived in San Francisco since 1997 and has worked professionally in the Bay since 2003.

DRAG STORY TIME + CRAFTING

Happy Pride! Come celebrate with the Junior Center of Art and Science!

Junior Center Teaching Artist Marco Garcia AKA Kico Le Strange, and friend Cy Berspace, will be reading 3 LGBTQIIA+ children books, one of which will be Julian The Mermaid. After story time, Kico will guide the young creatives through an oceanic craftmaking excursion; making sea crowns!

Let’s learn, express, and celebrate together!!!

Story time: 10-10:45am

Crafting time: 11am-12pm

All ages welcome!

Please RSVP on Eventbrite to attend.