In-School Workshops
We’ll bring the field trip to you!
Connect to art and science in new ways with an in-school workshop from East Bay Creative Lab. Hosted in your classroom, each workshop includes inquiry-led group discussion and a hands-on making activity led by an EBCL instructor.
All of our offerings support CA Common Core and CA Visual and Performing Arts Standards.
Workshops at a Glance
Format
75-minute hands-on workshop
Cost
$250 per workshop (ask about bulk discounts)
Available Days
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Time Slots
Can be booked at 10:00am, 11:00am, or 1:15pm
Location
Your Classroom
Capacity
1 classroom / 30 students max (up to 2 classes / 60 students if same school, same date & time)
Grade Levels
TK–8
Subjects
Visual arts and science (STEAM), and ecology
We are always happy to work with your classroom to design a workshop that meets specific needs! Please email eoceguera@eastbaycreativelab.org to coordinate.
Workshop Themes
- All
- Art
- Science
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.
Animal Adventures
The EBCL would love to bring our resident reptiles and/or invertebrates to your classroom for a lesson centered on habitats, adaptations, fun facts and more. Meet our snake, gecko, tortoise, millipedes, cockroaches, hermit crabs and spiders!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. EBCL 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.
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
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.
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.
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.
Rocket Science: How Can We Use Air to Make Something Fly?
Explore the states of matter, gravity, and energy in this exciting workshop where students will build, design, and test their rockets. Collaboration and inquiry are fundamental components of this class.
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.
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.
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,”