Connect to art and science in new ways with a hands-on workshop from the Junior Center hosted in your classroom! Each workshop includes inquiry-led group discussion and a hands on making activity led by a Junior Center instructor. All of our workshops support CA Common Core and CA Visual and Performing Arts Standards.

Our workshops are a 75 minute interactive experience that encourages creative exploration and artistic thinking. Workshops can be booked for Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Start times are 10, 11, or 1:15. 

Each workshop is $225. Email [email protected] to inquire about bulk discounts.

Complete this form to request your workshop today:

Available Workshops:

Artist Workshop Series

Students will be introduced to the life and work of the featured artist(s) through stories, a demonstration, and an interpretive hands-on art experience. Students will not only learn about the artist’s working style, inspirations, but also gain an awareness of basic principles of design and elements of art. 

Portraiture

In this workshop students will learn about proportion and use a variety of art materials to create an imaginative self-portrait. Students will view and be inspired by the works of a variety of contemporary artists including Kehinde Wiley and Hung Lui.

Grades 3/4/5

The Art of the Still Life

In this workshop students explore how artists represent their everyday environment through still life. Using the work of both traditional and contemporary artists from Paul Cezanne and Vincent Van Gogh to William Johnson and local artist Anna Valdez students will explore color mixing, painting techniques and the use of  light and value to create rich compositions. Junior Center artists will create a unique still life from flowers, vases, fruits, and other objects for students to use as inspiration. 

Grades 2-5

Abstract Watercolors:

In this workshop students will gain inspiration from the work of Lourdes Sanchez, a Latinx artist who transforms watercolor into lush abstract experiences inspired by nature. Students learn watercolor techniques such as wet on wet , dry brush, and blooming as well as explore color mixing, form, and line. 

All grade levels

Modern Perspectives: The Art of Georgia O’Keefe:

In this workshop students are introduced to the work of Georgia O’Keeffe with the focus being on deep observation and the power of “zooming in” on the subjects. Students will have the opportunity to explore painting flowers on a larger scale. JCAS will introduce several of her works and demonstrate the way she created a sensory experience with her paintings. Students will be encouraged to create their own flowers using a variety of colors and textures. 

All grade levels

Patterns and Symbols: The Art of Yayoi Kusama

This workshop will introduce students to the life and work of Yayoi Kusama, explore her childhood experiences that inspired her, and look at the variety of artwork she created from installation to sculpture. JCAS artists will discuss patterns and ask students about symbols they use in their own drawings. Students will use her pumpkin and mushroom series as inspiration for their designs. They will have a range of materials to work with from watercolors and oil pastels to pen & ink. 

All Grade Levels

Paper and Fabric Collage: The Quilts of Gees Bend 

 Students will use paper and fabric strips to build a “quilt on paper” Young artists will not only learn about shape and layering, but explore pattern, color, and texture. They will learn and explore techniques of paper tearing, cutting, and layering as they construct their compositions. Each square can be connected to form a community quilt.

All Grade Levels

Perspective and Design 

How do you make a 2D image look 3D?​ How can you make something look far away or close up in a painting or drawing? In this workshop students explore the principles of art, math, and design to create a lively multi-dimensional artwork that explores landscape and space.

Grades 4/5

Pop Art: Make the Ordinary Extraordinary 

Artists like Andy Warhol and Lichtenstein, and several others were famous for exploring everyday and familiar objects in their work.They liked the idea of taking ordinary things, for example cereal, bananas, or comics and turning them into art. Students will look at different Pop Artists and use it as inspiration for their own painting. They will have a chance to draw and paint on a larger scale and use vivid colors and patterns to define their work.

Grades 3-5

The Art of Beatriz Milhazes

Students will create abstract paintings inspired by the work of Brazilian artist, Beatrice Milhazes who uses lush florals and gracious shapes to compose her pieces. Students will consider how form and color work together to build a beautiful composition. Tempera paint will be used.

Grades K-5

Printmaking with foam

Students will create James Rizzi inspired cityscapes using basic printmaking techniques. Before they  learn to “pull a print” they will etch into their 5×7 foam piece with a pencil, ink the “plate” and finally make their print. Please note this workshop needs extra time.

Grades 3-5

Torn Paper Collage – Mark Bradford

Students will create elaborate and layered torn paper collages using the work of Mark Bradford as inspiration.
Mark Bradford is a contemporary African-American artist. Working in a wide-ranging conceptual practice, he is best known for his multimedia abstract paintings whose laborious surfaces hint at the artist’s excavation of emotional and
political terrain. “For me, it’s always a detail—a detail that points to a larger thing,”

All Grade Levels

Nightscapes Inspired by Matthew Wong

Through the work of Matthew Wong, Students will use elements of art to create an imaginative night landscape that evokes mystery. They will explore color theory, tone, contrast, composition and perspective as a way to communicate mood in their artwork.

All Grades Levels

Mixed Media Painting Inspired by Carolyn Costaño’s Ventanas

Students create a mixed media painting inspired by artist Carolyn Costaño. After a short lesson on drawing natural forms, students will create an imaginary landscape using watercolor color. They will then frame their composition with a collage motif symbolizing an aspect of the students personal identity.

All Grades Levels

Architecture Outside of the Box Inspired by Zaha Hadid

Inspired by the work of architect Zaha Hadid, students use paper to create their own 3-D out of the box conceptual building designs for an imagined client. Students will brainstorm ideas, make sketches, discuss form and function before executing their individual designs.

Grades 2-5

Textile Masks Inspired by Tau Lewis

Students will explore identity in this textile art lesson inspired by artist Tau Lewis. After sketching the design for a decorative mask that represents a real or desired personality trait, the students use fabric remnants, yarn and cloth ribbon to collage their mask.

All Grade Levels

Mini-Zine Making

Students learn about the history of Zine making and look at examples of contemporary do it yourself, magazine, pamphlet and mini-book publishing culture. They learn how to fold a mini zine and design a cover using cardboard and collage techniques.

Grades 3-5

Outsider Assemblage Inspired by James Castle

Students will create an assemblage inspired by the work and fascinating life of outsider artist James Castle. Born deaf in 1899,  Castle grew up  in rural Idaho without access to traditional art supplies. He taught himself to draw and developed an unconventional means of communication through a unique artistic practice.

Recommended for TK-2

Environmental Landscape Inspired by Friedensreich Hundertwasser

In this lesson students will be introduced to the work of Friedensreich Hundertwasser.   They will consider how Hundertwasser’s work reflected his advocacy as an environmentalist.  While creating an original drawing in the style of Hundertwasser, students will learn how the artist used natural forms, contour line, rhythm and color to express his ideas about nature.

Grades 3-5

Linear Wire Sculpture Inspired by Calder, Asawa, Oliviera

Students will be introduced to the work of Alexander Callder, Ruth Asawa, Lesley Dill and David Oliviera. They will create a gestural line drawing as the basis for their sculpture. Using tools and wire the students will translate their 2D design into a three dimensional linear sculpture.

Grades 4-5