Passport to Russia: From Moscow to St. Petersburg

Russia, or Россия, is one of the largest countries in the world bordering Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Join ArtStart artists for a whirlwind tour of Moscow,the capital of Russia, and St. Petersburg. Then create art inspired by famous Russian composers and artists, as well as beautiful folkart traditions. Grab your passport and a warm coat and join this artistic adventure!

Ages 6-12

SESSION 1: Monday-Tuesday, December 22-23, 2025

9-10:30am: Matryoshka Dolls

A Matroshka doll is also known as a Russian nesting doll. Each doll contains a slightly smaller doll nested inside it. Create your own colorful Matryoshka nesting doll, as you work with Jeanette Dickinson to design and paint your own special set of dolls.

10:45 am - 12:15 pm: Architecture

Join artist Karen Anderson to learn about the colorful onion-shaped domes of St. Basil’s Cathedral and Ivan the Great’s Bell Tower, both built in the late 1500s. Then draw and pain tthese memorable symbols of Moscow glistening in the setting sun.

Passport to Russia: From Moscow to St. Petersburg

Russia, or Россия, is one of the largest countries in the world bordering Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Join ArtStart artists for a whirlwind tour of Moscow, the capital of Russia, and St. Petersburg. Then create art inspired by famous Russian composers and artists, as well as beautiful folk art traditions. Grab your passport and a warm coat and join this artistic adventure!

SESSION 2: Monday-Tuesday, December 29-30, 2025

9-10:30am: Clay

Dymkovo toys are a traditional Russian folk art handicraft made by women.They are moulded and painted clay figures of people and animals. Work with Gustavo Boada to create your own special Dymkovo toy using air-dried clay and acrylic paint pens.

10:45am - 12:15pm: Puppetry

Composer Sergei Prokofiev composed the symphonic fairytale Peter and the Wolf. Each character in the story is represented by an instrument of the orchestra. First listen to the musical tale. Then work with puppeteer Julie Boada to create finger puppets for each character. Share the tale with your family and friends using your finger puppets.

ArtStart Spring Camp 2026

Passport to Mongolia: From the Eurasian Steppes to the Gobi Desert 

Book your flight today to the fascinating and beautiful country of Mongolia bordered by Russia and China. Once the largest contiguous empire in the world, the Mongolian Empire was established in 1206 by Genghis Khan and continued until it dissolved in 1368. For over 3,000 years, the people of the steppes have been herders, moving in the search of better pastures for their animals. Today, approximately half of Mongolia’s population roams the vast plains living in yurts and moving their camps several times a year. Grab your passport and join ArtStart artists to create art work inspired by this nomadic culture! 

April 6-8 ◆ 9:00-12:15 pm

Mount Zion Temple 1300 Summit Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55105

Deadline to register: March 27th

9:00-10:30am: Mixed Media: Secrets of the Gobi Desert - Jeanette Dickinson

Perhaps the first “nomads” were not who we think they were! The Gobi Desert, Mongolian for “waterless place”,  holds the world’s richest and most diverse deposits of dinosaur fossils, including oviraptor, ankylosaurus, and titanosaurus! Work with artist Jeanette Dickinson to create your version of one of these amazing prehistoric creatures. 

10:45am-12:15pm: Drawing and Painting: The Land of the Horse - Karen Anderson

The Mongolian Horse as a breed has not changed since the time of Genghis Khan. Essential to nomadic life, nomads own nearly 3,000,000 horses! Work with artist Karen Anderson to draw horses grazing, at play and  on the move. Then paint your favorite horse images on leather, a technique used by Mongolian artisans.

 Ages 6 - 12