In this four-week Art Afterschool series, young artists explore places and spaces through sculpture, assemblage, and sound. Inspired by contemporary artists who transform everyday and overlooked materials into imaginative architecture, including works by Wes Sam-Bruce and installations on view at The New Children’s Museum, participants design and build playful cityscapes, forts, towers, and hideouts. Using repurposed and found materials, artists turn ordinary objects into magical environments inspired by childhood sanctuaries and meaningful places. 

Artists move from drawing and storytelling into hands-on construction, learning how ideas take shape in three dimensions. Through experimentation and collaboration, participants explore what makes a place feel cozy, secret, or special while developing foundational building skills and creative problem-solving strategies in a supportive Museum studio. 

Why This Matters
Combining sculpture, sound, and creative re-use encourages older youth to think critically about how environments shape experience, how materials carry meaning, and how contemporary artists build layered narratives about place and memory. 

What To Expect 

• Building sculptural environments using recycled and found materials 

• Introduction to assemblage, 3D design, and basic construction techniques 

• Exploring sound through simple recording and listening activities 

• Observing contemporary artworks and Museum installations 

• Creating, sharing, and reflecting on a multimedia artwork inspired by place 

These programs are designed as small-group experiences with limited enrollment. Register now to secure your artist’s spot today! 

Tickets + Museum Admission 

• Registration is required and includes 1 spot. Members get $20 off any Art Afterschool series. Please be sure you are logged into your Member Portal to activate the discount.   

• Registration for this workshop does not include general Museum admission. If you’d like to explore the Museum, separate admission is required and available at the Welcome Desk. All participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult to explore the Museum.  

 Drop-off + Pick-up 

• Location: Enter Artopia: NCM Creative Studios from the Union Street side of The New Children’s Museum, near the corner of Union and Island. 

• Program check-in is from 3:45 pm-4 pm. After class pick-up is from 6 pm-6:15 pm. 

• All artists must be signed in and out of each session. Only adults listed at registration may pick up your child. Please confirm your authorized adult list at drop-off. We cannot release artists to anyone not listed or without valid ID. 

Questions about parking, accessibility, or our cancellation policy? 
Visit our Artopia: NCM Creative Studios FAQs page for all the details you need to plan your visit: https://thinkplaycreate.org/artopia-faqs/