12:30pm: Masks

Beijing Opera Masks

Beijing opera has been the entertainment of emperors and important officials since the 18th century in China. It combines singing, mime, dance and acrobatics, as well as elaborate face painting known as lianpu. The exaggerated facial expressions and colors signal character traits to the audience, for example, yellow for evil, red for courage, blue for fierceness. Learn about this fascinating tradition with artist Gustavo Boada, and then create your own dramatic opera mask.

2:15pm: Shadow Puppets

Trickster Tales: Sun Wukong, The Monkey King

Sun Wukong is a mischievous monkey monarch who creates chaos in the heavens. Possessed of gigantic strength, magical powers, and the ability to transform himself into various disguises, the journey of the Monkey King is a terrific tale full of monsters and monks, demons and spells. Create colorful shadow puppets with Kallie Melvin, and then perform your own version of Sun Wukong for your friends and family!

For ages 9 – 12.

12:30pm: Shadow Puppets

Trickster Tales: Sun Wukong, The Monkey King

Sun Wukong is a mischievous monkey monarch who creates chaos in the heavens. Possessed of gigantic strength, magical powers, and the ability to transform himself into various disguises, the journey of the Monkey King is a terrific tale full of monsters and monks, demons and spells. Create colorful shadow puppets with Kallie Melvin, and then perform your own version of Sun Wukong for your friends and family!

2:15pm: Masks

Beijing Opera Masks

Beijing opera has been the entertainment of emperors and important officials since the 18th century in China. It combines singing, mime, dance and acrobatics, as well as elaborate face painting known as lianpu. The exaggerated facial expressions and colors signal character traits to the audience, for example, yellow for evil, red for courage, blue for fierceness. Learn about this fascinating tradition with artist Gustavo Boada, and then create your own dramatic opera mask.

For ages 6 – 8.

12:30pm: Textiles

Wondrous Wall Hangings

Chinese textile art using block printing is a centuries-old handicraft involving carving intricate designs into woodblocks, which are then inked and pressed onto fabric. These designs frequently feature motifs in nature such as plants, animals and vines, and the process was important for creating rich, decorative textiles for clothing and home decor. Study some stunning examples of this time-honored folk art with artist Tara Fahey. Then create your own elegant fabric designs, using paint and stamps made from reuse materials.

2:15pm: Culture & Folk Arts

Chinese Traditions & Holidays

China has many colorful celebrations, each with their own vibrant traditions. Join Artist Joseph Lin to learn about time-honored customs such as the exchange of red envelopes full of money for Chinese New Year, the Dragon Boat Festival races, and eating moon cakes in mid-autumn. Along the way, you’ll learn some Chinese phrases and create some paper handcrafts associated with these holidays.

For ages 6 – 8.

A Start with the Arts meets daily Monday-Friday and offers 4-5 year-olds the opportunity to work with an arts educator to explore the art, culture, and wildlife of China throughmovement, drama, art making and other hands-on activities.This program for pre-schoolers parallels the school-age program in theme and content, Chinese Holidays & Traditions: July 13-17

For 5% off through February 3rd, use code EARLYHALF26

For ages 4-5.

8:30am: Clay

Peony Dishes & Panda Pots

Chinese clay arts have a history dating back over 10,000 years. Starting in the Neolithic period with basic, coiled pottery, the ceramic arts evolved in China to include the invention of porcelain, which is used today to make beautiful vases. In this exciting class with artist Katja Johnson, create vessels inspired by flowers and animals such as the peony and the panda. Additional $10 material fee.

10:15am: Architecture

Ancient Shrines: Create a Chinese Pagoda

Pagodas are one of the most celebrated forms of Chinese architecture. Going back thousands of years, these temples were first made first from wood, then from brick and stone. Sometimes they served as a monk’s tomb, or housed sacred Buddhist texts or relics. Join artist Laurie Witzkowski to learn about these ancient structures. Then create your own model of a multi-tiered Chinese pagoda with elegant curving roofs.

For ages 9 – 12.

8:30am: Clay

Peony Dishes & Panda Pots

Chinese clay arts have a history dating back over 10,000 years. Starting in the Neolithic period with basic, coiled pottery, the ceramic arts evolved in China to include the invention of porcelain, which is used today to make beautiful vases. In this exciting class with artist Katja Johnson, create vessels inspired by flowers and animals such as the peony and the panda. Additional $10 material fee.

10:15am: Architecture

Ancient Shrines: Create a Chinese Pagoda

Pagodas are one of the most celebrated forms of Chinese architecture. Going back thousands of years, these temples were first made first from wood, then from brick and stone. Sometimes they served as a monk’s tomb, or housed sacred Buddhist texts or relics. Join artist Laurie Witzkowski to learn about these ancient structures. Then create your own model of a multi-tiered Chinese pagoda with elegant curving roofs.

For ages 6 – 8.

8:30am: Mixed Media

Magical Cloisonné Creatures

Cloisonné is a Chinese art form where thin metal strips are used to create a design on a metal surface. The resulting compartments are filled with powdered colored glass enamel. This technique, known as jingtailan, is still produced today. Learn about cloisonné art with artist Jeanette Dickinson. Then create a work of art featuring a cloisonné-inspired magical beast, such as the shapeshifting quilin or the fierce winged pixiu.

10:15am: Puppetry

Chinese Zodiac Hand Puppets

Once upon a time, the Jade Emperor decided he needed some guards for the gates of heaven. He invited 12 animals to a race. Then he ranked them in the order they arrived at the gates: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Work with Gustavo Boada to shape your very own Chinese Zodiac animal hand puppet, then retell the story of the Race to the Heavenly Gate.

For ages 9 – 12.

8:30am: Painting

Xieyi Style: Chinese Flower & Bird Paintings

Xieyi Chinese painting is characterized by spontaneous “freehand” style and the artist’s spiritual expression. In Chinese culture, many flowers and birds carry specific symbolic meanings, which artists use to convey a virtue. Learn about the meanings of certain Chinese birds and flowers, then create your own Xieyi-inspired paintings with artist Melodee Strong.

10:15am: Puppetry

Chinese Zodiac Hand Puppets

Once upon a time, the Jade Emperor decided he needed some guards for the gates of heaven. He invited 12 animals to a race. Then he ranked them in the order they arrived at the gates: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Work with Julie and Gustavo Boada to shape your very own Chinese Zodiac animal hand puppet, then retell the story of the Race to the Heavenly Gate.

For ages 9 – 12.