Legends and Lore

*Class theme list coming soon*

Elephant Silhouettes: Saving the Savanna

Elephants are the largest land mammals on Earth! Kids learn about these gentle giants and the conservationists who are working to protect them, while using a silhouette painting technique to create elephant and tree shadows on a canvas sunset background.

Speckled Frogs: Amphibian Alliance

Frogs come in many colors and patterns. Some are bold and some are camouflaged. Kids find out more about amphibians, the most threatened group of vertebrates in the world, and use a salt technique to paint speckled, watercolor frogs.

Dancing Jellyfish: Ocean Aid

Jellyfish dance and drift through the water, and are found in every ocean on Earth! Kids dive in and learn about these mysterious creatures of the deep. They also learn about conservationist Jacques Cousteau and marine life artist Wyland, and their shared love for underwater ecosystems. Kids create colorful, mixed media hanging jellyfishes using a special ink diffusion technique.

Lion Sculptures: Protecting the Pride

Lions are majestic animals and fearsome predators. It’s no wonder a group of them is called a “pride”! Kids find out more about this vulnerable species and some of the people working to protect them. They learn how to create their own lion sculptures and design savannah habitat dioramas for them to live in.

Polar Bear Models: Arctic Awareness

Polar bears are amazing animals that face many threats to their survival. Kids imagine what life is like for them in the Arctic and walk in the footsteps of Margaret “Mardy” Murie, the grandmother of the conservation movement. They sculpt polar bears on an ice floe. Then they use paints and mixing mediums to create the effects of fur and ice.

Watercolor Sharks and Fish: Safeguarding the Sea

The streamlined shapes of sharks and fish are perfect for living under water. Kids use simple shapes to draw them swimming in a coral reef. Then they add watercolor paint to create a colorful scene under the sea and learn about Eugenie Clark, who was known as “The Shark Lady” because of all the research and work she did to promote marine conservation.

Slithering Snakes: Rescuing Reptiles

Snakes are fascinating and often misunderstood reptiles. Their skin has a unique texture, and they come in a wide range of patterns and colors. Kids learn about Romulus Whitaker, “The Snake Man of India.” He worked to protect snakes by pushing for a ban on the snakeskin trade. They also design their own three-dimensional, patterned snakes.

Coiled Turtles: Sheltering Shells

From sleek sea turtles to sturdy, land-based tortoises, turtles come in many shapes and sizes and can be found in different habitats. They also face many threats, so they need our help! Kids create unique turtle sculptures to inspire people and raise awareness. They start by sculpting a coil to make the shell and then add extra pieces and colors to make their own turtle sculptures.

Mud Art: Africa

Let’s take a closer look at textiles and their designs − the symbols, patterns and borders on a cloth can be used to tell stories. We’ll use stencils of creatures that are meaningful to the people of Korhogo to create a wall-hanging using earthen colors.

Aboriginal Dot Art: Australia

We are going to the Land Down Under! Enter Australia’s Western Desert and see how family stories are carried from one generation to the next. Every family has its story, and we will pass on our personal tales by painting with the dot art technique used by Australia’s aboriginal peoples.

Rattle Drums: China

This class cultivates the art of writing with Chinese calligraphy. We will learn the importance of movement and flow with a calligraphy-style brush technique, and turn ideas into images. We’ll preserve Chinese characters on a rattle drum, called a Bo Lang Gu, to play at home!

Animal Sculptures: Mexico

It’s time to turn a fantastical dream into a fantastic work of art! Let’s go to Oaxaca, Mexico and learn the story of the alebrije dream and how it unleashed a whole new art form. We’ll take our creativity to the wild side by blending fauna and flora into amazing animal sculptures.

Truck Art: Pakistan

We’re driving into a kaleidoscope of colors when we visit Pakistan! The roads are full of decorated vehicles, each one made to its driver’s liking. We will observe the basics of Pakistani truck art, and apply what we learn to create our own eye-catching model buses.

Tiki Masks: Polynesia

Let’s set sail for the South Pacific! The people of the Polynesian islands believed that they needed to stay connected with nature in order to live comfortably. They created “tikis”, or carvings, to connect with personifications of the forces of nature. We will think about our connections with nature and design tiki masks for our homes.

Imperial Jeweled Eggs: Russia

We’re sneaking a peek at a collection of treasures made for the royalty! Over 100 years ago, the Russian czar had the jeweler, Fabergé, create ornate egg-shaped gifts with precious metals and gems. We will learn how to design and sculpt an eggs-travagant gift of our own!

Block Printing: Europe

World travel is great for mixing up new ideas. Block printing concepts from the east were brought to the west, and the art of wallpaper began in Europe. Let’s admire European wallpaper styles and then design and print our own block patterns.

Game On: Board Game Design

In this class, we will dive into board game design! Our mission is to create a board game that teaches players about the wonders of ocean life. We’ll design the game board, cards and pieces, and then challenge each other to play!

Wild Animation: Animation Design

Let’s travel into the woods! We’ll design a storyboard to spread the word about protecting this cool ecosystem! We’ll also make a flipbook to see how film animators connect images to create moving pictures.

Mars Habitat: Architectural Design

Our mission is to design a habitat for a Martian colony. We will explore architectural design to imagine a practical home for people living on Mars. Then, we’ll sculpt our designs to create our own 3-D models.

Picture Perfect: Movie Poster Design

Hooray for Hollywood! We have been challenged to create a poster to promote a movie. We will learn the elements of graphic design to create exciting, eye-catching posters.

Universal Treehouse: Universal Accessible Design

We’re making the rainforest our home for a year! We’ll be designing a treehouse where three scientists will live and work. The mission involves making our treehouse animal-proof and universally accessible for researchers of all abilities!

Comic Book Heroes: Costume Fashion Design

We’re dressing up our very own comic book hero! They look their best when drawn in action poses, with faces that tell their story. We have hero templates and fashion textiles to kick-start the ultimate comic book star!

Pitch Your Product: Practical Product Design

Anyone, at any age, can be a business entrepreneur! We’re learning how to turn an idea into a retail product. Let’s design and build a prototype of the perfect tool that everybody needs.

Futureville: Urban Design

We're designing a city of the future! How will we handle the traffic flow of all those who work and live in the city? Our mission is to create a pop-up vision of a future metropolis whose citizens get around safely on foot, on wheels, and in flight!

Magic Self-Portraits: Inspired by Frida Kahlo

We step into the shoes of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo! She created over 100 self-portraits that expressed her reality and her ideals. In this class, kids will create their own self-portraits in the style of magic realism to express their inner selves.

Wishing Trees: Inspired by Yoko Ono

We learn about Japanese-American artist Yoko Ono. She loves to experiment with art, and to make art that people can contribute to. Her art challenges people to think, to act, and to work towards a kinder, more peaceful world. In this class, kids will create paper tree sculptures inspired by Yoko Ono’s Wish Trees that they will hang their own wishes on.

Art for the People: Inspired by Keith Haring

We bring street art to the classroom! Kids learn to create their own dancing characters and iconic symbols from Keith Haring, one of the most famous street artists of all time.

Story Quilts: Inspired by Faith Ringgold

We enter the dreams of African American artist Faith Ringgold, where she is always freely flying and dancing! Ringgold created many colorful story quilts about her memories, her dreams, and the civil-rights movement. In this class, children will create their own story quilt design to share a memorable, positive life moment.

Picture Peace: Inspired by Pablo Picasso

We investigate what peace means to kids. We visit Picasso’s world and look at what he expresses in his painting Guernica, one of the greatest anti-war paintings in the world. In this class, children will create their own peace art in the style of Picasso to show their expression of peace, love, and happiness.

Cut and Paste: Inspired by Hannah Höch

Kids learn cool art techniques from German artist Hannah Höch! It’s all about cutting, tearing, arranging, and gluing photos! Höch created collages with photos to show women’s roles in society, the negative impact of war and the influence of technological development. In this class, kids will create their own photomontages to express their ideas about the relationships between nature and industry.

Pop Art: Inspired by Andy Warhol

Kids will look at things around us through the eyes of pop artist Andy Warhol! He made everyday objects such as soup cans and boxes into some of the most influential artwork of the last century. In this class, kids will create a layered painting in the style of Andy Warhol’s silkscreen prints.

Creative Kids: Inspired by YOU!

Now it's the kids' turn to make art and change the world! They will learn about kids around the world who are making an impact on society by making art. In this class, children create their own art projects inspired by the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals and causes they are passionate about.

Wings Ablaze: The Phoenix

Are you ready to explore the mythical creature Phoenix through your own artistic creations? We will learn the techniques of tempera painting on a canvas board while getting inspired by the ancient myth of the Phoenix, a magical bird that is said to be able to be reborn from its own ashes!

Wide-Eyed Giants: The Cyclops

Are you ready for an epic adventure? In this class, we'll be using the magic of pop-ups to bring the legendary Cyclops to life! You'll have a blast cutting, folding and coloring colorful paper to create your very own Cyclops. And the best part? You'll get to draw a big, beautiful eye on your Cyclops, making it even more fierce-looking!

Clay Guardians: The Golem

Have you ever heard of the legend of the Golem? Come learn about this legendary, man-made mythical creature, and do a sculpture project! In this class, we will use our sculpting techniques and composition knowledge to create our own Golem sculptures using air dry clay.

Cave Crawlers: The Grootslang

Get ready for an adventure in art while learning about Grootslang, a legendary creature that is part elephant and part snake and is said to be one of the most powerful in the world! We will learn how to mold, shape, and sculpt the Model Magic to create your unique Grootslang sculpture.

Creatures of the Deep: The Kraken

Release the Kraken! Children will learn about this legendary sea creature that may have been inspired by sailors’ sightings of giant squid. Kids will create a mixed media sculpture to bring this many-armed legend to life!

Sea to Sky: The Kung Peng

Have you ever heard about the mythical bird-fish Kung-Peng? It's said to be able to transform into different forms and fly great distances. In this class, we will unleash our creativity, and bring this magical and powerful bird to life using drawing and crayon-resist watercolor techniques!

Prowling Tricksters: The Manticore

You are invited to travel back in time hundreds of years ago to explore the mysteries of ancient Persian mythology. In this class, we will learn about the myths and legends surrounding the mythical Manticore. Then we will use Crayola Model Magic to create a relief sculpture of this legendary beast!

Wooly Wonders: The Yeti and Sasquatch

Calling all mythical creature enthusiasts! Let's explore the world of the mysterious Yeti, Sasquatch and Bigfoot! We will learn about the cultural history and legends surrounding these elusive beasts. Then, we will use our imaginations to sculpt them in forests or mountaintops.

Fantastic Tales: My Creature

Are you ready to create your own legend? Using a variety of art materials and your own awesome knowledge of myths from all around the world, you'll design and bring to life a creature that is completely unique! Let your imagination run wild and let's create our own mythical creatures!

Chichen Itza: Shadow Sculptures

Uncover the ancient Mexican mysteries of Chichen Itza! Kids use Model Magic and flashlights to create their own version of El Castillo pyramid’s iconic light-and-shadow effect.

Mysterious Waters: Lake Serpents

Let’s dive into the legends of North America’s Great Lakes region. From First Nations lore to modern-day accounts, these waters are full of history and mystery. Drawing inspiration from creatures like the meteor dragon and the underwater panther, children will paint their own lake serpents against a vibrant, watercolor background.

Colosseum: Watercolor Wonder

Step into the bustling city of ancient Rome and explore this iconic amphitheater. Kids bring the Colosseum to life in vibrant watercolors and learn more about its structural feats.

Fairy-tale Castle: Painted Palace

Fairy tales come to life as kids learn about the stunning Neuschwanstein Castle. This enchanting German landmark inspires kids to explore texture, color, and history as they create their very own palace painting.

Great Wall: Pop-Up Perspective

Travel back 2000 years and 10,000 miles along the Great Wall of China! Children learn how to construct their own pop-up version of this perspective-shifting world wonder.

Island Statues: Model Moai

Ready for a journey to the mystical island of Rapa Nui? The Moai, mysterious stone figures of Easter Island, inspire kids' personalized sculptures as they uncover ancient Polynesian history.

Machu Picchu: Diorama Discovery

Climb to new heights with this ancient Incan citadel. Kids capture the stunning landscapes and woolly wildlife of Machu Picchu as they craft a colorful diorama box – including a handcrafted llama!

My Monument: Make Your Mark

Who will build the next world wonder? It’s kids’ turn to create their own remarkable monument, inspired by their favorite epic landmarks.

Sphinx & Pyramids: Monumental Models

Let’s travel to the land of the pharaohs! The secrets of the Sphinx and the pyramids are revealed as kids learn how to sculpt to these iconic symbols of ancient Egypt using Model Magic.

Stonehenge: Solstice Silhouettes

Slip back into the mysterious world of prehistoric Britain with these ancient standing stones. Stonehenge’s captivating history is explored as kids create stunning silhouette collages.

Taj Mahal: Precious Paper

Embark on a colorful journey to India and explore the beauty of the Taj Mahal. History comes to life as kids create their own, three-dimensional paper version of this world wonder.