The Swope Art Museum's Summer Art Studio program has been fostering creativity in the youth of Terre Haute for over 20 years, and we are thrilled to embark on another exciting summer of artistic exploration.
Pricing:
Non-members: $75 per class
Members: $65 per class
Financial assistance is available! Due to the generosity of our donors, we can offer scholarships and financial assistance to multi-child households and households facing financial hardship. To learn more about these opportunities each our to our Director of Education & Community Engagement, Meisha Williams, at williams@swope.org.
2026 Classes
Little Painters Studio | July 13 -17, 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Instructor: Angela Tapy
Age Group: 4-6 years old
Young artists will explore color, texture, and storytelling through hands-on painting adventures inspired by the museum galleries. Students will experiment with fun painting techniques, sensory materials, and creative ways to make art come to life. Messy masterpieces and artistic discovery are encouraged every step of the way!
Wonderous Mandalas | July 13 -17, 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Instructor: Judith Irving
Age Group: 7-10 years old
Mandalas are an artform that brings much beauty to this world. A Mandala is an array of geometric or organic symbols that are usually circular in form. In fact, "mandala" is a Sanskrit word that means "circle" or “center.” In many Asian cultures the Mandala is a spiritual symbol used during meditation, representing the universe. In this art class our young artists will learn several techniques of how to make a mandala from drawing on paper with tools, to transferring images on coffee filters and even making aluminum foil mandalas that they can proudly hang on the wall.
Colorful Quilling and Paper Shaping | July 13 -17, 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Instructor: Judith Irving
Age Group: 11-13 years old
Quilling is the technique of rolling and shaping strips of paper to create an image. This art form goes back thousands of years to the Egyptians but was only made popular once practiced in Europe during the medieval times. During the Renaissance, Italian and French monks created beautiful quilling's of biblical scenes for wall hangings. In this art class, our young artists will learn how to create fantastic images with strips of rolled paper that they can proudly hang on the wall.
Little Painters Studio | July 20 - 24, 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Instructor: Emily Rebelez-Arevalo
Age Group: 4-6 years old
Young artists will explore color, texture, and storytelling through hands-on painting adventures inspired by the museum galleries. Students will experiment with fun painting techniques, sensory materials, and creative ways to make art come to life. Messy masterpieces and artistic discovery are encouraged every step of the way!
3-D Art and Sculpture | July 20 - 24, 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Instructor: Emily Rebelez-Arevalo
Age Group: 7-10 years old
Students will explore the exciting world of 3-D art through hands-on building, sculpting, and creative problem-solving. Using a variety of materials and techniques, young artists will experiment with form, texture, balance, and structure while developing foundational sculpture skills. From imaginative creations to contemporary-inspired designs, this class encourages creativity, exploration, and making art from every angle.
Mud to Masterpiece, Clay Studio | July 20 - 24, 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Instructor: Rayna White
Age Group: 11-13 years old
In this class young artists will learn foundational clay hand-building techniques while creating unique artworks inspired by texture, form, and contemporary design. Through hands-on exploration, students will practice shaping, sculpting, carving, and adding detail to transform clay into creative finished pieces. This studio encourages experimentation, skill building, and artistic expression through the tactile art of clay.
Mix it Up! Mixed Media Studio | July 27 - 31, 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Instructor: Rayna White
Age Group: 7-10 years old
Students will explore color, texture, composition, and creative problem-solving through hands-on mixed media projects inspired by the museum galleries. Using techniques such as collage, painting, layering, and material experimentation, young artists will learn how to combine different artistic processes to create dynamic works of art. This class encourages imagination, artistic skill building, and exploration through a wide variety of materials and techniques.
Exploring Contemporary Art | July 27 - 31, 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Instructor: Emily Rebelez-Arevalo
Age Group: 11-13 years old
Students will explore contemporary art through hands-on projects inspired by artists in the galleries, creative experimentation, and big ideas. Using a variety of materials and techniques, artists will create works that focus on self-expression, storytelling, design, and innovation while learning how contemporary artists use art to communicate meaning. This class encourages creativity, critical thinking, and exploration through painting, mixed media, and sculpture.