Youth & adult classes

Clay Creations (10-12)

Classroom 7

Explore hand building techniques and a variety of glaze applications inspired by works of art from all over the world! Please note: to allow for drying and firing, some student work will need to be picked up 2-4 weeks after class is over. 

Mixed Media (5-6)

Classroom 1

Ignite imagination by creating in mixed media! Students will use painting, drawing, collage and printmaking to create one-of-a-kind works of art inspired by visits to the galleries. 

Maker Studio: Comic Creations (13–16)

Classroom 3

Step into the world of comic and zine creations! Enhance your skills in line work, composition, and storytelling, then apply these techniques to your own creations.  

People and Places (7-9)

Classroom 2

The Nelson-Atkins galleries are full of interesting people! Participants will gather ideas in the galleries, then return to the studio classrooms to develop drawing and portraiture skills in a variety of styles. 

Start in Art 3-5

Classroom 5

Nurture a child’s creativity! Young children explore art concepts by working with paint, collage, and clay. Visits to the galleries contain age-appropriate activities that allow students to see and talk about art as a group. Students should feel comfortable without a parent or guardian.

Mixed Media (5-6)

Classroom 1

Ignite imagination by creating in mixed media! Students will use painting, drawing, collage and printmaking to create one-of-a-kind works of art inspired by visits to the galleries.

People and Places (7-9)

Classroom 2

The Nelson-Atkins galleries are full of interesting people! Participants will gather ideas in the galleries, then return to the studio classrooms to develop drawing and portraiture skills in a variety of styles. 

Art to Wear 11-13

Classroom 3

Get inspired in the museum’s permanent collection and the exhibition, “Sparkle! Gifts of Contemporary Jewelry from Robert Hiller”. Try your hand at fashion and jewelry design along with other types of wearable sculpture. All supplies provided. 

Start in Art 3-5

Classroom 5

Nurture a child’s creativity! Young children explore art concepts by working with paint, collage and clay.  Visits to the galleries contain age-appropriate activities that allow students to see and talk about art as a group. Students should feel comfortable without a parent or guardian. All supplies provided. 

Art to Wear 11-13

Classroom 3

Get inspired in the museum’s permanent collection and the exhibition, “Sparkle! Gifts of Contemporary Jewelry from Robert Hiller”. Try your hand at fashion and jewelry design along with other types of wearable sculpture. All supplies provided. 

Maker Studio: Mapping the Stars

Classroom 7

Discover the intersection of Art and Science by exploring astrological paintings and drawings in the featured exhibition “Mapping the Heavens: Art, Science, and Exchange”. Then create your own illustrations inspired by the collection. All supplies provided. 

Start in Art 3-5

Classroom 5

Nurture a child’s creativity! Young children explore art concepts by working with paint, collage, and clay. Visits to the galleries contain age-appropriate activities that allow students to see and talk about art as a group. Students should feel comfortable without a parent or guardian.   

Stained Glass Workshop

Classroom 4

Discover the process of creating stained glass shuttlecock in this beginner-friendly class. Search the museum’s collection for inspiration then choose from various pre-cut glass to create your design. 

Students will use lead free solder and chemicals. 

Gelli Plate

Classroom 6

Students will discover how to create a basic monoprint using a Gelli Plate and acrylic paints. Techniques that will be explored are building layers within a print, registration techniques, creating image transfer prints, and using additive and subtractive approaches on a variety of substrates. 

Watercolor Beyond Tradition

Classroom 6

Journey through the wilderness paintings in Survival of the Fittest to create your own unique compositions using non-traditional watercolor techniques. From splatting to pouring and twig painting go wild and explore new ways to enrich your watercolor techniques. 

Alternative Lithography

Classroom 6

Discover a new way to experience lithography by using clayboards! Experiment with drawing and etching to create unique compositions resulting in bold and detailed prints. 

Stained Glass Workshop

Classroom 4

Discover the process of creating stained glass shuttlecock in this beginner-friendly class. Search the museum’s collection for inspiration then choose from various pre-cut glass to create your design. 

Students will use lead free solder and chemicals. 

Tiny Treasures

Classroom 4

Come on your own or bring friends and family to get creative at the museum! Search the featured Starr Miniature exhibition, John Smart: Virtuoso in Miniature, for inspiration, then create and decorate your own mini portraits in our studio classrooms.  

Stained Glass Workshop

Classroom 4

Discover the process of creating stained glass shuttlecock in this beginner-friendly class. Search the museum’s collection for inspiration then choose from various pre-cut glass to create your design. 

Students will use lead free solder and chemicals. 

Written in the Stars

Classroom 4

Bring a friend or come on your own for a fun night of creativity! Gather inspiration from the featured exhibition, “Mapping the Heavens: Art, Science, and Exchange”. Then work with teaching artists in the studio classrooms to create a decorative ceramic plate inspired by the collection. All supplies provided and all skill levels are welcome. 

Winter Landscapes

Classroom 6

Capture the serene beauty of winter landscapes in gouache, from the shadows in snowdrifts to the frosty glow of trees. You’ll explore a limited palette while learning techniques for creating hard and soft edges, along with layering and dry brushing to bring depth and atmosphere to your work.

Gallery Sketch Class

Classroom 6

Immerse yourself in art! Spend time drawing in a different gallery each class, then develop your sketches into finished works of art. Participants will complete a drawing using a different technique each class. You’re welcome to join one or both sessions. All supplies provided.