Classes for KiDS
Explore enriching arts opportunities for kids and families, including studio classes, drop-in art projects, performances and more!
A variety of classes are offered, in addition to plenty of experimental art programs, free drop-in art projects, and more!
ONLINE REGISTRATION BELOW.
PLEASE NOTE: If the class of your choice is full or canceled due to lack of enrollment, you will be notified and entitled to a full refund. Class tuition is due in full on or before the first day of the class session. Make-up classes will only be offered when the instructor is unable to teach his/her class.
Members of the Library Arts Center may subtract 10% from tuition prices of select classes, or can enter the code MEMBER when registering online to receive the discount. Member discount applies for the member’s immediate family.
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 Jennifery Boyd
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.
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.
Studio Art Classes for Kids
Friday mornings, 9:30-11:30am
$15 per class
Suggested Age Range: 7-12
These weekly classes offer a deeper dive into the creative process in our studio. Children attend these classes without caregivers. *Pre-registration required.
Full & partial scholarships available. Please inquire by calling 603-863-3040 or emailing us at info@libraryartscenter.org
June 27 – Printmaking: Three Ways! with Kris Cairelli
Enter the world of printmaking where you print multiple pieces of art from your original image. Explore multiple printmaking strategies, including monoprints and collagraphs, to create dazzling artworks by the multiple!
July 11 – Duct Tape Mania with Caitlin Mauser Rowe
get ready to roll out duct tape in every color and design to create funky objects like wallets, pens, and other style-licious accessories. This sculptural class allows you to go 3D, creating useful items with whimsy out of good old tape.
July 18 – Pom Pom Fish Kids Camp with Pam LaFountain
Learn to make a pom pom with simple materials. Then turn your pom pom into a fish. Once you learn to make a basic pom pom, your options are endless. If you have an idea for an animal that can be made from a round pom pom, bring a picture and we can make it in class.
July 25 – Bookmaking with Kris Cairelli
Create your very own book with a variety of page folding techniques, along with book binding strategies. Leave the studio with your own one of a kind artist book. Participants can begin illustrating their books or take them home empty to use as sketchbooks.
August 1 – Tie Dye Sneakers with Patti Warren
Using sharpies and rubbing alcohol you will transform a pair of white kicks into something truly extraordinary and one of a kind. Participants do need to provide their own shows for this class, so plan ahead.
August 8 – Painted Landscapes on Canvas with Heidi Lorenz
Using step by step directions from master painter Heidi Lorenz, students will learn to mix colors, and create their own acrylic landscape painting on stretched canvas! Leave the studio with a finished painting ready to hang.
August 15 – Dancing Birds with Pam LaFountain
Create folk-style, sculptural hanging birds using a variety of materials and techniques. Leave with a finished, colorful, bird, ready to fly home with you!
August 22 – Painted Critters on Canvas with Heidi Lorenz
Using step by step instructions, you will create painted animals to be proud of! Learn painting techniques and color mixing while creating a fun animal painting with acrylic paint on stretched canvas. Leave the studio with a finished painting ready to display!
Drop-in Art-Making for All ages! Under the Tent
Tuesday mornings, 9:30-10:30am | Free!
On the Side Lawn – Under the open-air Event Tent
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 – TBD
Jul. 1 – TBD
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 – TBD
Aug. 26 – Wild Nature Crowns
It’s Magic!
July 1,8,15,22 and 29, 9:00-11:00am
Library Arts Center Gallery
Instructor: Bruce Cronin
Students will be given a list of materials to assemble for a magic “kit” on the first day of class.
Suggested ages: 11-13
$50 per student
Full & partial scholarships available. Please inquire by calling 603-863-3040 or emailing us at info@libraryartscenter.org
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!
*Students who have taken the class previously will build their skills, and may assist the instructor with demonstration.
Cursive! with Miss Amanda
Wednesdays, Jul. 9, 16, 23, 20 & Aug. 6 | 9:30-10:30am
Library Arts Center Studio
Instructor: Amanda Bevilacqua
Tuition includes all materials. | Suggested ages: 7-12
$55 per student
Full & partial scholarships available. Please inquire by calling 603-863-3040 or emailing us at info@libraryartscenter.org
The art of cursive is not forgotten here at the Library Arts Center! Learn all the letters, a few each week, in this fun cursive class! Each class will focus on learning more letters, practicing, and then creating lettered art projects with your newfound cursive skills. We promise this class will not feel like school in the summer, rather a fun way to learn or perfect your cursive with the added bonus of lettering art projects each week.
Tie Dye Extravaganza!
Wednesday, July 16th | 2:00-3:00pm
On the Side Lawn, Under the Event Tent
BYO white or light shirt and join the Library and Arts Center on the side lawn under the tent to tie dye your shirt under our event tent. This family-friendly event is open to anyone and everyone who wants to join in for some groovy, colorful, free fun. Leave with your wet tie dye ready to wash, dry and wear.
Music with Friends
for Infants, Toddlers, & Preschoolers
Wednesday mornings, ongoing
9:30-10:15am
Library Arts Center Gallery
Instructor: Julie Love
$12 per family, per week
Special “early bird” rate of $8 per family when you register by 2:00pm the day before class.
Full & partial scholarships available. Please inquire by calling 603-863-3040 or emailing us at info@libraryartscenter.org
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 by the week!
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, Meadow Rd. 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 2025:
July 10th – Steve & Marty in Concert
July 17th – Absolutely Magic with Andrew Pinard
July 24th – Kathy Lowe in Concert
July 31st – TBD
The Summer Performances for Kids are made possible by generous funding from the Friends of the Richards Free Library.