Summer Arts Workshops at UH provide kids fun and imaginative ways to escape the dog days of summer. Children can visit Blaffer Gallery and create their own artworks. Photo by Mark Lacy

School’s out for summer, but kids can become bored with the usual warm weather rituals of swimming, movies or simply sitting around playing video games. Blaffer Gallery, the Art Museum of the University of Houston, has a solution for the season’s doldrums in its Summer Arts Workshops.

Workshops are conducted Wednesdays through July 26 and allow children between the ages of 6 and 12 to explore the world of art through Blaffer’s exhibitions then create their own works using a host of materials.

“Art is important because it teaches children that there are creative ways to solve problems,” said Tina Kortla, UH art alumnae and the workshop’s instructor. “It shows them ways of thinking differently, and at the same time, it’s fun.”

During this year’s workshop, children are drawing inspiration from the gallery’s current exhibitions, “Tam Van Tran: Psychonaut” and “Urs Fischer: Mary Poppins.”

Van Tran’s works will especially factor into workshop activities, as children will learn about his influences (Chinese landscape paintings) and utilize the organic materials such as those used in his art.

“Teaching these children is very exciting for me because they are very interested in art,” Kortla said. “They really want to draw and work with their hands. That makes my job easier because they’re self-motivated, but it’s also inspiring to see so many young people who enjoy being creative.”

Workshops are $30 per session, per child. For additional information on the Summer Arts Workshops, visit http://www.hfac.uh.edu/blaffer/education/index.html.

Mike Emery
memery@central.uh.edu