SATURDAY KIDS WORKSHOPS

Bring the family for children’s workshops featuring themes from the 2024 The Lay of the Land exhibition. These guided workshops are free of charge unless otherwise noted. Please check for times, age recommendations, and if specific sessions require registration. All workshops will take place in the Family & Community Space.

Saturday June 22, 10-6pm, Seed Mosaics and Plant Art
Create seed mosaics with Montana crops as well as plant art projects. Catch our Seed Swap event from 12-3pm where gardeners can bring seed to trade and find plant starts for donations. Free workshop, open to the public, no registration required.  

Saturday June 29, 10:30am-12:00pm, Natural Tie-Dye Workshop with Kelly Kohlberg, grades 1-6
Together we’ll explore the fun technique of tie-dyeing, while discovering how to extract colors from Earth's own palette. Using natural dyes sourced from roots, flowers, and leaves, young artists will create unique designs on fabric. This workshop is a chance for kids to learn about sustainable alternatives to synthetic dyes and textiles. It is designed to nurture appreciation for the beauty and versatility of natural materials. Join us for a day of colorful fun and eco-friendly creativity. Free workshop, registration strongly encouraged.

Saturday July 13, 11am-12pm, Six Viewpoints Kids Workshop with Isabel Shaida
Isabel Shaida will lead participants in a free workshop exploring the Six Viewpoints, a technique of improvisation and observation created by Mary Overlie. This practice deconstructs the primary materials of performance into six studies: Space, Shape, Time, Emotion, Movement and Story. This workshop is an opportunity for your child (and you!) to explore movement, body shapes, and spatial awareness.

Saturday July 20, 10-11am, Botanical Cyanotypes with Bozeman Public Library at Tinworks, for elementary schoolers
Discover trailblazing photographer and botanist Anna Atkins (1799-1871) and then create Prussian blue images using UV light and iron salts. 

Saturday July 27, 1 hour, time TBD, Montana Science Center Workshop.
Cost $20. More details coming soon.

Saturday August 3, 10:30-12pm, Wild Clay Whistles with Ned Beardsley, open to grades 1-6
Learn all about wild Montana clay, our geologic history, and sound while creating clay whistles with artist Ned Beardsley. Inspired by 2024 The Lay of the Land exhibition artists Lucy Raven, Robbie Wing, and Wills Brewer students will build, experiment, and play with their whistles during this workshop. Projects can be picked up 1-2 weeks after creation to allow whistles to dry and be kiln fired.

Saturday August 17, 1 hour, time TBD, Montana Science Center Workshop
Cost $20. More details coming soon.

Saturday August 10, 11am-12pm, Six Viewpoints Kids Workshop with Isabel Shaida
Isabel Shaida will lead participants in a free workshop exploring the Six Viewpoints, a technique of improvisation and observation created by Montana artist Mary Overlie. This practice deconstructs the primary materials of performance into six studies: Space, Shape, Time, Emotion, Movement and Story.

Saturday August 31, 10:30am-12:00pm, Flower Pounding Workshop with Kelly Kohlberg, grades 1-6
Experience the magical art of flower pounding. Using fresh dye flowers, including cosmos, coreopsis, marigold, and pincushion, children will learn the gentle technique of transferring vibrant colors from the garden onto pre-treated cloth, resulting in unique and beautiful creations. Students will be invited to create a carefully designed pattern or wild improvisation, following their own personal response to nature’s inspiration. Instruction will include discussion surrounding why certain flowers yield permanent dye, and how fabric can be pre-treated to boost vibrance and ensure lasting results. Additionally, homage will be paid to the Japanese roots of this satisfying art form, known as Tataki Zome. Come and create in collaboration with mother earth. Free workshop, registration strongly encouraged to allow instructor for material preparation.

Saturday September 7, 10:30am-noon, Nature Weaving with Kelly Kohlberg, grades 1-6
Young artists will discover the art of loom-building using simple materials sourced from nature, participating in an ancient form of craftsmanship. Using an array of plant-based fibers such as grasses and vines, kids will explore the rich textures of the natural world and fill their loom with simple weaving techniques. Through sensorially rich, hands-on learning, kids will develop a deeper appreciation for sustainable practices and the beauty of handmade creations. They will connect with the natural human instinct to gather available materials and combine them to make something new. Join us for a day of creative exploration and eco-conscious crafting. Free workshop, registration strongly encouraged to allow instructor for material preparation.

September 28, 10:30am-12pm, Cardboard Playhouses with Ned Beardsley, grades 1-6
Inspired by the work of 2024 The Lay of the Land exhibition artist James Castle and Stephen Shore students will explore the concept of home and create their own life-size cardboard playhouse. Taking a page from Castle’s use of everyday found materials and recycled surfaces, students will build their dream home out of cardboard boxes and string, and will paint on the structures with tempera. Homes will be able to collapse flat for take home use and be easily reassembled for play spaces. This workshop is free and open to the public, registration recommended to ensure material preparation by instructor.

Saturday October 12, 1 hour, time TBD, Montana Science Center Workshop.
Cost $20. More details coming soon.

Photo by Blair Speed.