Studio Kids Fridays – Summer Art Classes for Children
Friday Mornings, 9:30-11:30am, beginning July 12th
Library Arts Center Studio
Ages 7-12
These weekly classes offer a deeper dive into the creative process in our studio. Children attend these classes without caregivers.
*Pre registration is required, $12 per session. **Scholarships are available. Email us at info@libraryartscenter.org to inquire.
July 12
Welcome to the Jungle! Artist Study of Henri Rousseau
with Caitlin Mauser Rowe
Create deep and layered jungle scenes using paint, drawing and collage all while learning about the incredible self taught French artists Henri Rousseau, famous for his jungle paintings inspired by his trips to the Paris Zoo. As time allows students can also create one of a kind, colorful paper chain jungle snakes.
July 19
Worry Dolls
with Pam LaFountain
Learn the Guatemalan tradition of using worry dolls to quell your worries, and create your own! According to the legend, you tell your doll about any worries, then hide it under your pillow before going to sleep at night. It is said that the next morning, the worry will be gone. Learn more about this legend and create your own mini sculptural worry doll collection!
July 26
A Morning with Monet (‘Zine Style)
with Patti Warren
Enjoy an introduction to Claude Monet and his contributions to the Impressionist movement through the book, Linnea in Monet’s garden. Inspired by the book and the artist, students will design and paint their own zine (small book) to take home.
Aug. 2
Dancing Dragon Marionette – FULL
with Pam LaFountain
Be amazed as simple art materials transcend into create an absolutely fabulous dragon marionette puppet that you can make dance and move however you like. It can dance its way home with you and inspire your creation of even more marionettes at home.
Aug. 9
Paper Mache Animal Masks – FULL
with Kris Cairelli
Upcycle newspaper into incredibly unique paper mache animal masks, either to wear or hang on the wall! The animal of your choice will become a colorful, sculptural mask in this one-day session, take it home wet, once dry it will be ready to wear or hang.
Aug. 16
Step-by-Step Painted Landscapes
with Heidi Lorenz
Follow along with the instructor step-by-step to create a gorgeous landscape painting using gouache paint. Gouache is an opaque watercolor that is fun and forgiving to use. By following these step-by-step painting instructions you learn to use this great paint type while creating a stunning painting to take home.
Family Drop-in Art Projects Under the Tent
Tuesday Mornings *beginning June 18th
9:30-10:30am on the side lawn
New projects each week. Projects are designed for all ages.
FREE!
Join us under the tent on the side lawn of the Library and 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 provided (except where noted). All are welcome to participate!
Project Schedule:
June 18 – Bubble Wands
Create handmade bubble wands and bubbles.
June 25 – Squirt Gun Dyed T-Shirts
We have the squirt guns and dye, you bring the white or light colored shirt! We keep the mess, you bring the shirt home ready to wash and wear. *Bring your own light-colored T-Shirt to dye.
July 2 – Leaf Prints
Go all natural in this art project and create prints with leaves.
July 9 – Wrapped Sticks
Create people, animals, or letters by combining sticks and wrapping them with colorful yarns.
July 16 – Shibori Tie Dye Dish Cloths
Shibori is a classic indigo dye combined with traditional folding and tying techniques. We provide all the materials, you head home with a finished shibori dishcloth ready to wash and use.
July 23 – Egg Carton Toad Stools
Create whimsical toadstools with the simplest of materials.
July 29 – Bug Hotels
Roll out the welcome mat in your backyard with a handmade bug hotel!
August 6 – Fruit and Veggie Stamps
You will never look a the fruit bowl the same! Use fruit and vegetables to stamp a dish cloth.
August 13 – Pressed Flower Luminary Lanterns
We have been pressing flowers all summer so you can make beautiful candle luminaries!
It’s Magic!
Magic Class for ages 12 to Teen
with professional magician, Bruce Cronin
Tuesdays in July, 9:00-11:00am (July 2,9,16,23,30)
Library Arts Center Gallery
*Pre-registration is required.
$50 for five-week class *Scholarships are available. Please inquire by emailing info@
Making things appear, disappear, change color, multiply… learn all the basics of magic in this fun and engaging five-week class taught by professional magician, Bruce Cronin! Using common, everyday articles such as rubber balls, coins, ropes and playing cards, Mr. Cronin will teach through Sleight of Hand how to make these objects do miraculous things.
Not only will students learn magic, they will also learn effective presentation to best entertain friends, family and a variety of audiences. Magic is a wonderful way to develop skills, stage presence and self-confidence. And above all, it’s fun! This class welcomes return students to continue their growth, while welcoming beginners at the same time.
Summer Gallery Drop-in Art Projects
Select Saturdays – Drop-in 10:00-2:00
Pop into the gallery these select Saturdays to get creative and try out new mediums, techniques and materials! Projects are designed for all ages, and all supplies and materials are provided.
FREE to participate and all are welcome to come and get creative in the gallery.
Gallery Drop-in Project Schedule:
June 15th – To be determined.
June 22* – Flower Press Building
*Please note that this project was initially scheduled for Sat. June 29th, but the date has changed.
**Project participation is free, but as we have a limited number of flower presses, pre-registration is required. Pre-register at the LINK HERE.
June 29th – Red, White and Blue Friendship Bracelets
July 20 – DIY Kaleidoscopes
August 17 – Painting Skies in Watercolor
September 21 – How to Paint your Pet (or any creature!)
Using watercolor and ink BYO photo of your pet and leave with an art piece. Some animal references available if you don’t have a photo.
Summer Grab & Go Art Kits
*FREE! New kits each month
*while supplies last.
The Library Arts Center is pleased to provide FREE monthly art kits to encourage everyone to get creative! Projects are designed for all ages. Limited quantities are available in the Library Arts Center Gallery.
Art Kits for Summer 2024:
June – Rainbow Beaded Bracelets
in honor of Pride Month
July – Beaded Wind Chimes
Create a simple beaded wind chime with driftwood, glass beads and bells.
August – Apple Stamped Dish Cloths
in celebration of the Apple Pie Crafts Fair
Fridays at the Newport Farmers’ Market
Select Friday Afternoons this Summer, 3:00-6:00pm
Select Fridays, May 31, June 14 & 28, July 12 & 26, and Aug. 9 & 23 *Weather Permitting
Newport Town Common
Free to participate, and all are welcome!
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.
Project Schedule:
May 31 – Seed Envelopes
Create a seed envelope and fill it with seeds to take home and plant.
June 14 – Ribbon Wands
Create ribbon wands of every color!
June 28 – Face Painting
Free face painting!
July 12 – Rock Painting
Paint pens and rocks provided, just add your imagination to create animals, mandalas and more.
July 26 – Leaf Painting
The leaf becomes the canvas in this Zen and quick artform.
August 9 – Paper Towel Roll Creatures
Upcycle paper towel rolls into adorable creatures.
August 23 – Press Flower Wood Discs
We have pressed flowers and wooden ornament disks, you combine them and seal them to create gorgeous natural art.
September 6 – Face Painting
Free face painting!
September 20 – Leaf Confetti Wands
Create magic wands with confetti made from colorful leaves.
Summer Performances for KIDS!
Thursday Mornings in July, 10:00am on the side lawn
Free! All are welcome. Bring a blanket or lawn chair.
Rain Location: Newport Recreation Department, 65 Belknap Ave. Newport
The Summer Performances for Kids are a favorite Arts Center tradition for more than 20 years! Performances are free, fun, engaging and enriching. All ages are welcome.
Performance Schedule:
July 4th – No Performance (Independence Day Holiday)
July 11th – The Little Red Wagon Theatre Company presents “Treasure Island”
July 18th – Modern Times Theater presents “The Perils of Mr. Punch”
July 25th – Rockin’ Ron the Friendly Pirate presents a Family Concert
August 1st – Bryson Lang presents a Comedy/Juggling Show
The Summer Performances for Kids are made possible by generous funding from the Friends of the Richards Free Library.
Visit with Comic Author/Illustrator MAREK BENNETT
Tuesday, July 23rd, 2:00pm on the side lawn
Free books will be provided for all children in attendance!
The Library Arts Center and Richards Free Library present a visit and presentation by comic author/illustrator Marek Bennett, Tuesday, July 23, 2:00pm, on the side lawn under the tent! We are thrilled to welcome Marek back to town. This winter, he presented a week-long artist residency at Richards School and worked with every student. ALL kids who attend the event will receive FREE books! Find out more about the author at marekbennett.com.
Thank you to the Children’s Literacy Foundation (CLiF) for making this opportunity possible!
Music with Friends!
for infants, toddlers & preschoolers | Instructor: Julie Love
Wednesday Mornings, 9:30am
Outdoors under the Event Tent on the Library Arts Center Side Lawn during the Summer Months
Library Arts Center – 58 N. Main St. Newport, NH 03773
Rain Location: Library Arts Center Gallery
*Pre-registration is required.
$12 per family, per week .
Experience making music together in this class designed for babies through five year-olds and their caregivers. Music will come to life as everyone sings, dances, drums and claps, experimenting with voices, instruments and movement. *Pre–registration is required, sign up online for specific weeks, or the whole series.
