ONLINE WORKSHOPS
Join SilverKite for live, intergenerational arts workshops - including visual arts, dance, music, writing, theatre, and much more! Registration is open for individual participants of all ages.
Scroll to view our offerings!
All artwork created by virtual workshop attendees.
SilverKite partners with library systems across the US to provide FREE online arts programming to their patrons.
Scroll through this page to view our class offerings, and learn which libraries are participating in each workshop.
See a workshop you are interested in? Visit your specific library webpage to register!
VISUAL ARTS
Spring Cherry Blossoms in Watercolor
Paint springtime cherry blossoms using watercolor and practice mixing colors in various values.
Facilitated by Gloria Garcia.
Supplies Needed:
Watercolor paper—cut down to 6” x 9"
HB graphite pencil
Soap eraser
#6 or #8 round watercolor brush
Water container
Paper towel(s)
Spring Cherry Blossoms in Watercolor
SATURDAY, APRIL 20
10:30 - 11:30 am PDT
KCLS
MG
Sweet Life: Illustrate your Favorite Childhood Candies
Draw colorful candies - lollipops, bubble gums, hard candies, caramels and taffys. Bring your favorites to draw and snack on if you have them!
Facilitated by Gloria Garcia.
Supplies:
Oil pastels
Watercolor paper cut down to 6” x 9”
HB or #2 graphite pencil
Soap eraser
Sweet Life: Illustrate Your Favorite Childhood Candies
SATURDAY, MAY 4
10:30 - 11:30 am PDT
KCLS
MG
Painting, Drawing
& Writing Affirmations
Join us to let your heart and soul speak positive affirmations using art. Through varied media, including paint and different processes, we will create a board that can be gazed at everyday to remind ourselves of the positive vibes we wish to share with the universe.
Facilitated by Tammy Leaver.
Supply List:
11x14” piece of corrugated cardboard or any other sturdy substrate
Printed paper, newspaper, discarded book pages, etc
Acrylic paint
Piece of scrap paper to cut a heart out
Paintbrushes, pens and markers
Various items to use for design (something to make different size round shapes, open and solid; old gift card, toothpicks, bubblewrap, fabric pieces, plastic wrap, etc)
Modge Podge
Tissue paper, vellum paper, additional printed paper
Paper with affirmation quotes printed or written
Glue stick
Painting, Drawing & Writing Affirmations
SATURDAY, APRIL 27
10:30 - 11:30 am PDT
Sip and Paint
Join us to create a watercolor painting inspired by doughnuts! We will explore a variety of techniques to understand the basics of watercolor, including color mixing and washes. Grab a beverage of your choice (and a doughnut if you like) and spend an hour with us painting and making art together!
Facilitated by Tammy Leaver.
Supplies:
- watercolor paints
- mixed media or watercolor paper
- water cup
- paint brushes (flat brush and pointed round brush)
- painters tape
- pencil
- ink pen
Sip and Paint
SATURDAY, MAY 11
10:30 - 11:30 am PDT
WATERCOLOR:
HALF DOZEN DOUGHNUTS
Meditative Line Drawing
For this workshop we will create intuitive abstract line art using meditative line drawing. We will draw dots, lines, and shapes while enjoying an hour of free-flow creation.
Facilitated by AshaAung Helmstetter.
Supplies:
-Paper for line drawing (loose paper or in a sketch book/journal is okay)
-Fineliner pen in your thickness and color choice (can use other types of pens, but this is my preferred)
Meditative Line Drawing
SATURDAY, MAY 18
10:30 - 11:30 am PDT
KCLS
MG
PVPL
Intro to Pastels
Unlock your creativity with the vibrant and versatile medium of water-soluble oil pastels! In this beginner-friendly workshop, participants will explore the fundamentals of using water-soluble oil pastels to create stunning artworks. Whether you're a seasoned artist looking to experiment with a new medium or a complete novice eager to dive into the world of art, this workshop is perfect for you.
Facilitated by Valencia Carroll.
Materials:
Drawing paper
Box of water-soluble oil pastels
Watercolor paintbrush
Small cup of water for wetting and rinsing paintbrush
Paper towels
Blue masking tape
Intro to Pastels
MONDAY, MAY 20
10:30 - 11:30 am PDT
Expressive Acrylics
In this workshop, participants will bring images to life on canvas using an expressive or painterly approach. Participants will learn expressive techniques and are encouraged to lean into playful creativity.
Facilitated by Cooper Perry.
Supplies Needed:
- acrylic paint (anything you have onhand works)
- canvas (multimedia paper is fine too)
- paint brushes, both small and medium (whatever you have onhand works)
- water cups
- paint palette or plastic plate
- palette knife or plastic knife
- washcloth or paper towels
- small spray bottle (optional)
Expressive Acrylics
SATURDAY, MAY 25
10:30 - 11:30 am PDT
KCLS
MG
Sip and Paint
Join us to create a watercolor painting inspired by fruit! We will explore a variety of techniques to understand the basics of watercolor, including color mixing and washes. Grab a beverage of your choice and spend an hour with us painting and making art together!
Facilitated by Tammy Leaver.
Supplies:
- watercolor paints
- mixed media or watercolor paper
- water cup
- paint brushes (flat brush and pointed round brush)
- painters tape
- pencil
- ink pen
Sip and Paint
SATURDAY, JUNE 1
10:30 - 11:30 am PDT
WATERCOLOR: THE ART OF FRUIT
Visual Journaling
In this workshop we’ll make art with lines, doodles, and any optional art supplies you’d like (like collage or painting)! We’ll add words that resonate with our drawings along the way. The point of this workshop is to practice building creative trains of thought without judgement and it can be as simple as you would like. Let’s have some artsy-journaling fun!
Facilitated by AshaAung Helmstetter.
Supplies:
Journal or drawing paper
Your favorite pen for writing/drawing, a fineliner also works
Assorted writing/drawing utensils
Optional Supplies:
Scrap paper, color paper, or any collaging paper + glue
Watercolor paints + paintbrush, water for dipping brush, and paper towels
Glitter glue, scissors
Visual Journaling
SATURDAY, JUNE 8
10:30 - 11:30 am PDT
Intro to Charcoal
The "Introduction to Charcoal Drawing" workshop is a beginner-friendly, 1-hour art making session designed to introduce participants to the art of charcoal drawing. Participants will learn basic techniques, concepts, and tips to create their own charcoal masterpieces.
Facilitated by Valencia Carroll.
Materials:
Several Soft Vine Charcoal Sticks
9”x12” up to 18”x24” Drawing Paper or Sketchpad (specifically designed for charcoal and/or mixed media)
Kneaded Eraser
Paper Towels or Soft Cloth
Blue masking tape
Drawing Board (if working on loose drawing paper instead of in a sketchbook or on a drawing pad)
Fixative Spray (optional for fixing finished artwork)
Intro to Charcoal
MONDAY, JUNE 10
10:30 - 11:30 am PDT
KCLS
MG
Georgia O'Keefe Flower Watercolor Pencil Drawing
Prompted by Georgia O’Keefe’s flower watercolors, draw a close-up image of a flower of your choice. We’ll learn several watercolor pencil dry and wet blending techniques.
Facilitated by Gloria Garcia.
Supplies:
Watercolor pencils
Watercolor paper cut down to 6” x 9”
HB or #2 graphite pencil
Soap eraser
Georgia O'Keefe Flower Watercolor Pencil Drawing
SATURDAY, JUNE 15
10:30 - 11:30 am PDT
Mindful Collage
Sanctuary – a sacred place to retreat for nurturing, healing, and peace. In this workshop we will create a collage of a go to place or space you can visit whenever you need to refresh, renew, or reenergize. This can be a place you already have or someplace you would like to have.
Facilitated by Bertha Marselis.
Supplies needed:
1.) Colored pencils, pencils, colorful markers, Black sharpie
2.) Scissors and or a ruler
3.) Old magazines, used greeting cards, colorful pieces of paper
4.) Glue or glue sticks
5.) Any personal photos, trinkets or collage materials or ephemera of your
choice you may want to add to your creation.
6.) 9 x 12 media paper, poster board, or anything to collage on
Mindful Collage
MONDAY, JUNE 17
10:30 - 11:30 am PDT
KCLS
MG
WRITING, STORYTELLING
& MOVEMENT
Intro to Hawaiian Dance
Hula is a visual dance form of storytelling from Polynesia, which was developed in Hawai’i and has more recently become a popular form of exercise. Together we will walk through some basic hula steps and use our bodies to develop a hula “vocabulary”. At the end of class, you will have a story to tell, using these beautiful movements!
Facilitated by Rachel Rene.
What You’ll Need:
* Wear comfortable clothes that allow you to move your whole body.
* Have water and a towel nearby.
* Socks or bare feet are preferred over wearing shoes, if possible.
Intro to Hawaiian Dance
MONDAY, MONDAY 6
1:30 - 2:30 pm PDT
Writing the Prose Poem
How do we know the difference between poetry and prose? In this workshop, we'll explore the differences and similarities, looking at how poetry is heightened and condensed in "prose" form. We'll use examples as models for our own writing and do some exercises to unlock your inner Prose Poet!
Facilitated by Pearl Klein.
Supplies: Paper and something to write with.
Writing the Prose Poem
MONDAY, JUNE 3
1:30 - 2:30 pm PDT
KCLS
MG
The Writing Workout!
Body builders develop muscle through repetition and increased weights. Creative writers build their writing muscles through exercises that push them out of their comfort zone, exercises they can use at any time. Let's get together and sweat!
Facilitated by Pearl Klein.
Supplies:
Paper and something to write with
The Writing Workout!
MONDAY, MONDAY 13
1:30 - 2:30 pm PDT