10:15am - 12:00pm
“Rainbow Garden” Mixed media drawing (Ages 5-7)
In this fun and engaging 2-D art lesson, young artists will create a colorful "Rainbow Garden" using bright shapes and vibrant colors. Through this activity, children will explore how basic shapes like circles, squares, and triangles can come together to form beautiful flowers, trees, and other garden elements. The lesson will focus on color recognition, shape identification, and the joy of using different materials like markers, crayons, or watercolor paints.
The goal is to help children develop their understanding of how colors and shapes work together to create an artwork, while also encouraging self-expression and creativity. They will learn to fill the page with lively, imaginative designs, bringing their own version of a rainbow garden to life.
Please note, Museum admission is not included in the workshop price, but you can enjoy The New Children's Museum at a discount! On the day of your workshop, each attendee may purchase one (1) admission ticket for 50% off.
Important Details:
- NCM Members, get $10 off. Please make sure you are logged into your member portal to access the discount! Discount applied at checkout.
- Workshop Duration: This workshop is 90 minutes.
- Location: The workshop takes place in our brand-new art studio, Artopia: NCM Creative Studios, located inside The New Children’s Museum at 200 W. Island Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101.
- Please plan to arrive around 20 minutes early for parking and check-in.
- Check-in at the Artopia entrance on Union Street & Island Ave (please note: this is NOT the Museum’s main entrance).
- Drop-Off & Pick-Up:
- A guardian may drop off the participant at the start of class.
- For safety purposes, only adults listed during registration with a matching photo ID may pick up participants.
- Parking:
- Limited Museum garage parking is available for $20 per car ($10 for NCM Members and EBT/WIC/SNAP cardholders).
- Additional public parking lots and metered spaces are nearby.
- ABM Parking (450 2nd Ave.) offers a 2-hour discount with code 8792 (exclusions apply, including Padres games).
- Public Transportation: The Museum is accessible via the MTS Trolley Green Line and MTS Bus.
- Museum Admission:
- Workshop participants receive 50% off same-day Museum admission.
- This discount applies only to the participant; additional guests must purchase admission at the Museum Welcome Desk at the standard rate.
- Participants under 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult to explore the Museum.
- Questions? For any questions about this workshop, please reach out to us at info@thinkplaycreate.org.
1:45pm - 3:30pm
“Shading and Detail” Graphite Still Life Workshop (Ages 8-10)
Join us to learn how to create a detailed still life drawing using a range of fine art graphite pencils. A still life is a drawing of objects that don’t move, like fruits, flowers, or everyday objects. The focus will be on capturing texture, light, and shadow to make the objects in the still life come alive on the page. Students will use different graphite pencil techniques such as shading, blending, and creating contrast to add depth and dimension to their drawings.
By using graphite pencils, students will experiment with light and dark areas, learning how to use soft and hard pencils to create smooth gradients and sharp details. Through this process, they’ll improve their ability to observe closely, recognize shapes and proportions, and understand how light affects objects.
Please note, Museum admission is not included in the workshop price, but you can enjoy The New Children's Museum at a discount! On the day of your workshop, each attendee may purchase one (1) admission ticket for 50% off.
Important Details:
- NCM Members, get $10 off. Please make sure you are logged into your member portal to access the discount! Discount applied at checkout.
- Workshop Duration: This workshop is 90 minutes.
- Location: The workshop takes place in our brand-new art studio, Artopia: NCM Creative Studios, located inside The New Children’s Museum at 200 W. Island Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101.
- Please plan to arrive around 20 minutes early for parking and check-in.
- Check-in at the Artopia entrance on Union Street & Island Ave (please note: this is NOT the Museum’s main entrance).
- Drop-Off & Pick-Up:
- A guardian may drop off the participant at the start of class.
- For safety purposes, only adults listed during registration with a matching photo ID may pick up participants.
- Parking:
- Limited Museum garage parking is available for $20 per car ($10 for NCM Members and EBT/WIC/SNAP cardholders).
- Additional public parking lots and metered spaces are nearby.
- ABM Parking (450 2nd Ave.) offers a 2-hour discount with code 8792 (exclusions apply, including Padres games).
- Public Transportation: The Museum is accessible via the MTS Trolley Green Line and MTS Bus.
- Museum Admission:
- Workshop participants receive 50% off same-day Museum admission.
- This discount applies only to the participant; additional guests must purchase admission at the Museum Welcome Desk at the standard rate.
- Participants under 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult to explore the Museum.
- Questions? For any questions about this workshop, please reach out to us at info@thinkplaycreate.org.
3:15pm - 5:00pm
“Expressive Self Portraits” A Self Portrait in charcoal (Ages 11-13)
In this dynamic art lesson, students will step away from traditional realism and explore the expressive potential of charcoal in creating non-realistic portraits. By experimenting with bold marks, abstract shapes, and exaggerated features, students will learn how to use charcoal to convey emotion, personality, and mood through abstraction and creative interpretation. This lesson encourages students to break free from the constraints of realism and tap into their imaginations to create a portrait that is uniquely their own!
Please note, Museum admission is not included in the workshop price, but you can enjoy The New Children's Museum at a discount! On the day of your workshop, each attendee may purchase one (1) admission ticket for 50% off.
Important Details:
- NCM Members, get $10 off. Please make sure you are logged into your member portal to access the discount! Discount applied at checkout.
- Workshop Duration: This workshop is 90 minutes.
- Location: The workshop takes place in our brand-new art studio, Artopia: NCM Creative Studios, located inside The New Children’s Museum at 200 W. Island Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101.
- Please plan to arrive around 20 minutes early for parking and check-in.
- Check-in at the Artopia entrance on Union Street & Island Ave (please note: this is NOT the Museum’s main entrance).
- Drop-Off & Pick-Up:
- A guardian may drop off the participant at the start of class.
- For safety purposes, only adults listed during registration with a matching photo ID may pick up participants.
- Parking:
- Limited Museum garage parking is available for $20 per car ($10 for NCM Members and EBT/WIC/SNAP cardholders).
- Additional public parking lots and metered spaces are nearby.
- ABM Parking (450 2nd Ave.) offers a 2-hour discount with code 8792 (exclusions apply, including Padres games).
- Public Transportation: The Museum is accessible via the MTS Trolley Green Line and MTS Bus.
- Museum Admission:
- Workshop participants receive 50% off same-day Museum admission.
- This discount applies only to the participant; additional guests must purchase admission at the Museum Welcome Desk at the standard rate.
- Participants under 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult to explore the Museum.
- Questions? For any questions about this workshop, please reach out to us at info@thinkplaycreate.org.
3:15pm - 5:00pm
“Vibrant Visions” Self Portraits in Mixed Media(Ages 14-18)
"An abstract self-portrait isn’t just a reflection of who you are, but a celebration of who you can become when you embrace the beauty of your imagination." Students will explore the exciting possibilities of mixed media art by creating vibrant and expressive portraits using pencils, soft pastels, and markers. The goal is to combine the precision of pencil drawing with the rich colors and textures of pastels and markers to create dynamic, multi-layered artworks. Students will work on capturing emotion and mood in their portraits by focusing on the use of light, shadow, and color, while experimenting with different media to enhance the depth and impact of their piece.
Please note, Museum admission is not included in the workshop price, but you can enjoy The New Children's Museum at a discount! On the day of your workshop, each attendee may purchase one (1) admission ticket for 50% off.
Important Details:
- NCM Members, get $10 off. Please make sure you are logged into your member portal to access the discount! Discount applied at checkout.
- Workshop Duration: This workshop is 90 minutes.
- Location: The workshop takes place in our brand-new art studio, Artopia: NCM Creative Studios, located inside The New Children’s Museum at 200 W. Island Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101.
- Please plan to arrive around 20 minutes early for parking and check-in.
- Check-in at the Artopia entrance on Union Street & Island Ave (please note: this is NOT the Museum’s main entrance).
- Drop-Off & Pick-Up:
- A guardian may drop off the participant at the start of class.
- For safety purposes, only adults listed during registration with a matching photo ID may pick up participants.
- Parking:
- Limited Museum garage parking is available for $20 per car ($10 for NCM Members and EBT/WIC/SNAP cardholders).
- Additional public parking lots and metered spaces are nearby.
- ABM Parking (450 2nd Ave.) offers a 2-hour discount with code 8792 (exclusions apply, including Padres games).
- Public Transportation: The Museum is accessible via the MTS Trolley Green Line and MTS Bus.
- Museum Admission:
- Workshop participants receive 50% off same-day Museum admission.
- This discount applies only to the participant; additional guests must purchase admission at the Museum Welcome Desk at the standard rate.
- Participants under 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult to explore the Museum.
- Questions? For any questions about this workshop, please reach out to us at info@thinkplaycreate.org.
10:15am - 12:00pm
“Under the Sea: Crayon & Oil Pastel Ocean Adventure!" (Ages 5-7)
Young artists will dive into an underwater adventure, creating vibrant ocean-themed artwork using crayons and oil pastels. The theme of the workshop is Under the Sea, where students will create their own colorful underwater scene, complete with fish, seaweed, and waves, using the bold and bright colors of crayons and oil pastels. This project is perfect for sparking imagination and creativity, while teaching students about layering, blending, and using different textures.
Please note, Museum admission is not included in the workshop price, but you can enjoy The New Children's Museum at a discount! On the day of your workshop, each attendee may purchase one (1) admission ticket for 50% off.
Important Details:
- NCM Members, get $10 off. Please make sure you are logged into your member portal to access the discount! Discount applied at checkout.
- Workshop Duration: This workshop is 90 minutes.
- Location: The workshop takes place in our brand-new art studio, Artopia: NCM Creative Studios, located inside The New Children’s Museum at 200 W. Island Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101.
- Please plan to arrive around 20 minutes early for parking and check-in.
- Check-in at the Artopia entrance on Union Street & Island Ave (please note: this is NOT the Museum’s main entrance).
- Drop-Off & Pick-Up:
- A guardian may drop off the participant at the start of class.
- For safety purposes, only adults listed during registration with a matching photo ID may pick up participants.
- Parking:
- Limited Museum garage parking is available for $20 per car ($10 for NCM Members and EBT/WIC/SNAP cardholders).
- Additional public parking lots and metered spaces are nearby.
- ABM Parking (450 2nd Ave.) offers a 2-hour discount with code 8792 (exclusions apply, including Padres games).
- Public Transportation: The Museum is accessible via the MTS Trolley Green Line and MTS Bus.
- Museum Admission:
- Workshop participants receive 50% off same-day Museum admission.
- This discount applies only to the participant; additional guests must purchase admission at the Museum Welcome Desk at the standard rate.
- Participants under 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult to explore the Museum.
- Questions? For any questions about this workshop, please reach out to us at info@thinkplaycreate.org.
2:00pm - 3:00pm
Artopia Sessions TEST
Looking for creative weekend fun this summer? Summer Sessions in Artopia: NCM Creative Studios are drop-in studio experiences built for youth and families — centered on exploration, creativity, and community through artmaking, sensory exploration and more! Whether you're making side by side or jumping into a collaborative project, each session offers an open-ended, playful environment, supported by teaching artists, where curiosity leads the way.
You'll make art to take home, and you’ll contribute to collaborative creations that celebrate community and creativity, helping shape this evolving studio space one visit at a time!
Tickets are $20 for members and $25 for non-members. Members, please log in to your member account to access the discounted rate!
Enjoy:
- Hands-on artmaking for all ages and all skill levels.
- New activities each weekend all summer long!
- Materials and instruction support included.
- Dedicated toddler space for littles!
Please note: Summer Session tickets do not include general admission to the Museum. If you'd like to explore the Museum before or after your session, admission tickets can be purchased separately at the Welcome Desk. All participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult to explore the Museum.
Questions about parking, accessibility, or our cancellation policy?
Visit our Artopia: NCM Creative Studios FAQs page for all the details you need to plan your visit: https://thinkplaycreate.org/artopia-faqs/
10:00am - 12:00pm
Artopia Sessions
Looking for creative weekend fun this summer? Summer Sessions in Artopia: NCM Creative Studios are drop-in studio experiences built for youth and families — centered on exploration, creativity, and community through artmaking, sensory exploration and more! Whether you're making side by side or jumping into a collaborative project, each session offers an open-ended, playful environment, supported by teaching artists, where curiosity leads the way.
You'll make art to take home, and you’ll contribute to collaborative creations that celebrate community and creativity, helping shape this evolving studio space one visit at a time!
Tickets are $20 for members and $25 for non-members. Members, please log in to your member account to access the discounted rate!
Enjoy:
- Hands-on artmaking for all ages and all skill levels.
- New activities each weekend all summer long!
- Materials and instruction support included.
- Dedicated toddler space for littles!
Please note: Summer Session tickets do not include general admission to the Museum. If you'd like to explore the Museum before or after your session, admission tickets can be purchased separately at the Welcome Desk. All participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult to explore the Museum.
Questions about parking, accessibility, or our cancellation policy?
Visit our Artopia: NCM Creative Studios FAQs page for all the details you need to plan your visit: https://thinkplaycreate.org/artopia-faqs/
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Artopia Summer Sessions
Kick off summer with a burst of color, texture, and hands-on fun for all ages! This weekend’s Summer Session in Artopia invites kids and families to dive into bold materials, big movements, and collaborative creativity. Get messy, get playful, and get inspired!
Activities for All Ages:
- Marble your own paper with swirling patterns
- Paint a giant sculptural wall
- Begin wrapping oversized ARTOPIA letters in bright colorful yarn
- Learn from skilled teaching artists excited to create with you
- All materials included
Dedicated Toddler Area:
- Dive into hands-on sensory bins designed to spark curiosity and fine motor skills
- Explore a play area with books, foam blocks, soft mats, and building toys to support creative and safe exploration
During this Summer Session, you will make art to take home and contribute to collaborative projects that will shape our evolving studio space!
Tickets + Passes
Join us for a single session, or bundle and save with a Summer Pass to Artopia!
Summer Session tickets are available online or at the Museum Welcome Desk.
Summer Passes must be purchased in person at the Welcome Desk.
Please note: Summer Session tickets do not include general Museum admission. If you’d like to explore the Museum, separate admission is required and available at the Welcome Desk. All participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult to explore the Museum.
Questions about parking, accessibility, or our cancellation policy?
Visit our Artopia: NCM Creative Studios FAQs page for all the details you need to plan your visit: https://thinkplaycreate.org/artopia-faqs/