Children's Program
Code: K0203-26
-
Ages 6-8
Exploring the Art and Culture of the Maya
Jun 8 - 12, 2026
9 AM - 3 PM
Concept
Embark on an extraordinary week of adventure and creativity as students dive into the vibrant world of Mayan art and culture! Each day, they explore new activities such as building towering pyramids with clay and cardboard, weaving intricate textiles on handmade looms, and crafting colorful masks with paper mâché, feathers, and beads.
As they create, students uncover the fascinating stories and history of the Maya civilization. Using materials like paint, clay, and corn husks, they bring ancient traditions to life through hands-on art projects that combine creative expression and interactive learning, connecting them to one of the world’s most intriguing cultures in a fun and engaging way.
Media & Techniques
Mixed
Faculty
Gabriela Mejia
Gabriela E. Mejia, a native of Honduras, discovered her passion for the arts at age 5, and has dedicated her career as a fine artist, muralist, graphic designer, dancer, and musician to nurturing creativity in young minds. Holding a BFA from the American Academy of Arts in Chicago, she has over a decade of teaching experience, specializing in programs that merge creativity with cultural education. Through her organization, GEMArt, Mejia collaborates with local and national organizations, including those in the Roaring Fork Valley, to bring enriching, hands-on learning experiences to kids.
Workshop Details>
Scholarships, College Credit & Discounts
Making Art Accessible
Applications for scholarship support are encouraged. Specific scholarships are funded by Ranch supporters, either through endowed funds or special gifts.
Many colleges and universities offer college credit for workshops taken at Anderson Ranch. Discounts are available for students and teachers.
You Might Also Be Interested In>
-
Ages 9-12
Jun 29 - Jul 3, 2026
9 AM - 3 PM
Star Stories: Where Myths Meet the Night Sky
Sam Ticknor
Tuition $600
Code K0507-26
Embark on an exciting journey through the stars! For centuries, people from all over the world have looked up at the night sky and imagined amazing stories from constellations. In "Star Stories," artists collaborate on new myths for the night sky. We look at existing constellations, then reimagine their imagery and origins. Each artist uses traditional comic art techniques including inking, hand lettering, and paneling to make a comic that illustrates how their constellation came to be. We blend art and storytelling to create a comic compilation book that’s truly out of this world!
Jun 29 - Jul 3, 2026
9AM-3PM
Glow! Snap! Shine!
Niki Bennet
Tuition $600
Code K0517-26
AGES 6-12 Artists transform the photography studio into a glowing laboratory of light, shadow, and color. We explore how photographers use light to create mood and drama by studying striking images filled with bold silhouettes and vibrant contrast. Students experiment with flashlights, colored gels, translucent paper, reflective foil, and layered materials to create luminous compositions and large-scale shadow scenes. We design shadow puppets, build sculptural forms that cast dramatic shapes, and arrange glowing collages that shift as the light changes. Throughout the week, children discover that photography means “drawing with light,” and they use that idea to create artworks that shimmer, glow, and surprise. The week concludes with a magical Glow Show exhibition where families step into a world of color, shadow, and shine.
-
Ages 6-8
Jul 6 - 10, 2026
9 AM - 3 PM
Discovering Culture
Camryn Ahhaitty Growing Thunder
Tuition $600
Code K0608-26
Join us to explore and celebrate the diverse styles of Native American art! We honor Native cultures through hands-on activities and traditional crafts. We learn techniques such as weaving, quillwork, ceramics, and beading, and create our own art using materials like clay, beads, paint, and yarn. This is a chance to discover the rich cultural traditions that shape this land and help keep these beautiful arts alive!