Drop-in Art Projects
The Arts Center presents a variety of drop-in art projects year-round, from those that encourage creative exploration with new art materials, to simple 'make-and-take'-style projects for all ages. Explore our current offerings below.
Gallery Drop-in Art Projects
Gallery Drop-in Arts Exploration
Select Saturdays, 10:00am-2:00pm
Library Arts Center Gallery
All ages are welcome to participate
FREE! No pre-registration necessary. All supplies will be provided.
All ages are welcome to participate.
Join us inside the Library Arts Center Gallery on select Saturdays for a fun time of creative exploration!
This series is designed to engage artists, children, and community members at large through open ended arts exploration with artist-grade materials, and artist guidance. Stay as long as you like, create as much art as you like, and be part of the creative community. Enjoy this free program in the art gallery, where you can enjoy the inspiration of art and community around you.
*Parents or caregivers are asked to participate and create art alongside children. No ‘drop-offs’ please.
May 17 – Cookie-Cutter Needle Felting with Jennifer Boyd
This drop in is perfect for anyone interested in trying out needle felting. A variety of gorgeous wools and all other supplies will be available for you to stop by and create a felted shape using a variety of cookie cutters as templates. The shapes can be used as ornaments, pins, magnets etc. Leave this free drop-in with a small colorful wool piece and the basic understanding of needle felting. Please NOTE: Actual barbed needles are used in this craft, so this may not be the best fit for our youngest artists, yet we leave this up to parent discretion for older kids who want to try this out with parent supervision and guidance.
May 24 – Introduction to Gouache Painting
Experiment with quality opaque watercolors called gouache on quality art paper. Learn techniques and experiment with this popular paint.
May 31 – Lafayette-themed Crafts
Celebrate Marquis de Lafayette’s Visit to Newport this June by making one of two cockades and French Lafayette bracelets.
In 1777, a wealthy French soldier came to the US to help the Patriots win their independence from England. That general was the Marquis de Lafayette. His ability to enlist the French to send men, ships and guns to support the rebellion, enable the colonists to win the battle at Yorktown and cause the British to surrender soon after. In 1825 Lafayette was invited back to the US as a guest of President James Monroe. During the visit, which came to be known as the Farewell Tour, Lafayette visited every state in the country, 24 at the time. On that visit he travelled through Newport and made two stops. On June 27, 2025 the town of Newport will celebrate the 200th anniversary of this famous visit. General Lafayette will arrive in Newport, encircle the Newport Common and disembark to greet the townspeople and invited dignitaries. You are invited to attend this event, and you can come prepared by attending this LAC Saturday May 31st, Make and Take. During the hours of 10-2 visitors can make their own cockades to wear on your shirts or in your hats, much like people who came to greet the general in 1825 might have worn. Or you could choose to make a French Lafayette bracelet to wear to the celebration and keep as a keepsake. We hope you can join us for both events May 31 and June 27 to be part of the reenactment of Lafayette’s visit to Newport.
June 7th – Art Post Making
Take part in an art installation that will be displayed by the Library Arts Center entry all summer! We are creating an installation of whimsical painted art totems to adorn the entry of the Arts Center, we would love your help painting them! Stop in and lend a hand to add your creative expression to this public art piece.
July 26th – Expressive Flowers in Watercolor
Learn new techniques to create expressive flowers with quality watercolor materials.
August 9th – Paint-Your-Own Pet (or anything in watercolor!)
BYO pet photo and get artist guidance to create your own pet portrait in watercolor! Not wanting to go pet portrait? No problem, bring another reference photo of something that brings you joy and leave with a painting.
September 13th – Skies you’ll love in Watercolor
Relax in the gallery while painting luscious watercolor skies with artist guidance and new techniques.
Drop-in Art Projects
in the Arts Center Studio
Drop-in Art-Making for All ages! in the Arts Center Studio
Tuesday mornings (beginning June 17th), 9:30-10:30am | Free!
in the Library Arts Center Studio (Lower Level)
All ages are welcome to participate.
No pre-registration necessary.
Join us under the tent on the side lawn of the Library Arts Center for these weekly drop-ins exploring a variety of mediums and creative exploration. Spend the hour creating art in these sessions designed to engage all ages of children and adults. Parents or caregivers are asked to participate and create art alongside their children.
*All supplies will be provided.
Jun. 17 – Art Post Installation
Jun. 24 – Shibori-Dyed Dishcloths
Jul. 1 – TBA
Jul. 8 – Clay Gnome Doors
Jul. 15 – Giant Bubble Wands
Jul. 22 – Marbelized Paper-making
Jul. 29 – Cardboard Prints on Tote Bags
Aug. 5 – Spray-painted Wild Nature Prints
Aug. 12 – Fairy/Gnome House-building
Aug. 19 – Colorful Cardboard Birds
Aug. 26 – Wild Nature Crowns
Farmers' Market Drop-in Art Projects
Select weeks at the Newport Farmers' Market
Fridays at the Newport Farmers’ Market
Select Friday afternoons this Summer, 3:00-6:00pm | Free!
Newport Farmers’ Market on the Newport Town Common
All ages are welcome to participate
All supplies will be provided
Join us at the Newport Farmers’ Market for free make and takes designed to be enjoyed by children and adults alike. Enjoy live music and local farm fresh shopping at the same time. *New projects each scheduled week.