Young artists looking to get their hands dirty while learning the ropes of expressionism, color theory, and multimedia collage will have a free outlet to explore their creativity this fall.
The Western Illinois University Art Education program is inviting local students in grades first through eighth to participate in its Fall 2026 Community Art Program. Taught directly by WIU art education students, the four-week initiative offers hands-on studio learning across a variety of age-appropriate creative projects designed to foster artistic exploration.
Sessions will run over four consecutive Sundays— Oct. 25, Nov. 1, Nov. 8 and Nov. 15—inside Garwood Hall on the WIU Macomb campus.
The curriculum is structured into three distinct age groups to tailor instruction to each development stage. First and second graders will gather from 1-2:30 p.m. in Garwood Hall 24 to explore expressionism, self-expression, and personal identity through colorful assignments like “Starry Night Pumpkin” and “Bubble Gum Portrait.”
Meanwhile, third and fourth graders will meet during the same 1-2:30 p.m. window in Garwood Hall 25. Their studio time will focus heavily on color theory, composition, and creative experimentation through projects such as “Kandinsky Circles,” “Trifold Landscape,” “Torn Paper Landscape” and an underwater perspective painting titled, “Under the Sea.”
Older participants in fifth through eighth grade will meet later in the afternoon from 3-4:30 p.m. in Garwood Hall 24. Their sessions will encourage experimentation with multiple artistic media and design techniques through “Keyhole Landscape” compositions and self-crafted “Multimedia Collage Landscapes.”
While the program is offered completely free of charge, enrollment is strictly capped at 15 students per class section to ensure individualized instruction. Registration is accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, and early sign-ups are strongly encouraged.
Parents and guardians must complete a registration and permission form for each participating child prior to attending. For registration links or additional program details, contact Art Education Program Coordinator Ta-Teh Ku at [email protected].
