Artful Mornings

Artful Mornings

Calling all young artists ages six through twelve! Join us at the Albany Institute for fun, hands-on activities led by our museum educators. Prepare to learn new things, experiment with new ideas and connect with new people.

Throughout summer breaks, we will explore the galleries at the Albany Institute and create our own works of art inspired by the exhibitions and collection. Artful Mornings are designed for children ages 9–12 and 6–8.

Schedule
- Ages 9–12: Three-day session from 9AM–12PM each day
- Ages 6–8: One-day session from 9AM–12PM

Cost (fee includes all materials, instruction, and museum admission)
- Three-day session: $90 non-members; $65 AIHA members. Become a member and save!
- One-day session: $30 non-members; $25 AIHA members. Become a member and save!

Registration
Registration link forthcoming. Advanced registration is required for all participants; spaces are limited. Sessions will be cancelled if minimum registration is not met one week prior to the session date. Registration for each session will close the day before the program for administrative purposes.

Questions or to register in advance: Email Janine Moon at moonj@albanyinstitute.org.

FAQs
- Museum doors will open approximately 15 minutes before the program start time.
- All required materials are included in the registration fee.
- Please dress for mess! Smocks/aprons are available, and you're welcome to bring your own if preferred.
- A snack break will be offered (outdoors weather permitting).
- Registration fees are non-refundable.

Program themes (examples)
- Wilderness Triptych: The way artists depicted the wilderness changed over time. From Ancient Egyptians carving ibises flying out of fields of papyri, to Walter Launt Palmer depicting untouched snow, to contemporary artists like Bill Sullivan using neon colors to paint a sunrise, artists represent their world in unique ways. Young artists will create a triptych, a three-paneled painting, weaving together the different styles we encounter in class.

• Civil War: Have you ever wondered what it was like being a soldier during the Civil War? What things did the soldiers carry, what food did they eat, how did they entertain themselves? How did families keep track of their relatives during the war? What did Albany do to help raise funds? During the Civil War, artists like James Hart expressed concern through his paintings. Join us as we look at the lives of Civil War soldiers, what life was like in Albany during the war, and the effect the war had on art in the 1800s.

• Light and Shadows: Artists have always used light to define form, evoke emotion, and direct the viewer's focus. We will explore how artists use darkness and shadows in art. Landscape artists use darkness to convey an impending sunset, thick dense clouds to show a storm is on the horizon, or a dense forest impossible to travel through. The Ancient Egyptians used light to show the realm of the living and night to show the afterlife. We will use different materials to create works of art using light, shadows, and darkness in different ways inspired by the Hudson River School and Ancient Egypt.

• Board Game Design: Do you have a favorite board game? What do you like best about it? Join us as we explore the history of board games, how they changed over time, and discuss what makes a great board game. We will turn that discussion into a board game inspired by the exhibitions at the Albany Institute. You can create an adventure where Ankhefenmut has to get to the afterlife or a boat ride down the Hudson River. You will create the board, the rules, the moveable pieces, the box, and promotional material to help sell your one-of-a-kind board game.