Several months back, we were thinking a lot about what we can offer children 6 and up in the studio, that felt rich and valuable, while holding true to the integrity of process art. Meri Cherry Art Studio is a process based art studio for kids and we work hard to create content that holds true to values of process art.  *Process Art is about the making and the doing, rather than the finished product.

*all pics by Neil Apodaca

Our amazing studio manager, Eryn, had the idea to extend our Family Session framework, into a 5 week experience for kids.  And just like that, the Large Scale Mural Workshop for Kids was born.

“This is the reason kids should take this class.  You can just paint and there is no right or wrong.” Mia, age 10

We’ve completed two 5 week sessions so far and we are very proud and excited about this truly worthwhile experience for kids.  At first glance, these murals might appear as a hodge podge of paint and ink, carelessly layered on the canvas. Nothing could be further from the truth.

“I liked that the class made me feel open to doing anything that I wanted on my canvas.  I felt very proud of my work at the end of the 5 weeks.” – Luke, age 8

Here is a little about their experience.

We start the Mural Workshop by giving each child an art journal that they use to document their mural making journey as they go, with words, pictures, and moments of creativity.

“I like layering a lot of different materials on my canvas. And mixing new colors and making new friends.” Noa – age 7 

Students begin their journey by exploring large murals in the studio and works by famous artists in books.  They talk about different feelings they want their murals to evoke and how they can communicate those feelings through their painting.

The students choose and create their own color palette by mixing their own paints. Once the students have their colors of choice they spend time experimenting with different tools, like large and small brushes, rolling pins, brayers, squeegies, etc. to create their first mural layer.

Each week the students are reflecting on their experience, working through obstacles, communicating with peers about their ideas and discoveries, and investigating new ways to add details and layers to their murals.

New mediums and techniques are introduced each week, including working with oil and chalk pastels, stamping geometric shapes to create an interesting composition, painting with ink, and working with pens and markers to add meaning.

Each mural comes out wildly different, as you can see from these photos.  But one thing that holds true throughout the experience is the pride and confidence the students experience from creating something solely on their own that is a reflection of their choices and their ideas and their hard work.

Of all the classes and workshops we offer, I think the Large Scale Mural Workshop is closest to my heart.  It’s a gift we can offer our children. If you’re in LA, I can’t recommend it enough.

To check our schedule for the next upcoming Large Scale Mural Making Class, please click here.  This class is available for kids six and up. If you are interested in a similar class for adults, we are putting a list together, please email info@mericherry.com.  Thanks for reading along.  Enjoy the process.  Meri