We offer free evening and weekend workshops designed to foster creativity, strengthen writing skills, and provide students with a forum for executing projects they might not otherwise have the support to undertake. Workshops range from the playful to the practical, and all are taught by volunteer writers, artists, educators, and publishing professionals.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to increased demand, enrollment for workshops are now determined by lottery. Once you have signed up for a workshop, please look for an email from workshops@826nyc.org, verifying that we have received your request. If you have not heard from us after 48 hours, feel free to call.
Our workshops are limited enrollment and often generate wait lists. With this in mind, please only sign up if you can make every session of a workshop. Thank you!
Game On: Build Your Own Board Game
3 Tuesday sessions: March 17, 24, 31 (2009)
6-8pm
Taught by Josh Martin
For ages 10-14
Candy Land, Chutes & Ladders, Yahtzee, Parcheesi...yawn! Bored of the same old Sorry board games? Want to take a Risk and add a little more spice to your Life? It's no Trouble at all to create your own board game with this workshop. Do not pass go, do not collect $200, just come directly to 826 to design your own cool board, make up all the rules, and write the manual to make sure everyone plays YOUR way. Move over, Milton Bradley.
Magic Books and Paper Toys
1 Sunday session: March 15 (2009)
12-1:30pm
Taught by Esther K. Smith
For ages 7-10
Meet the author! Join Esther K. Smith, author of Magic Books and Paper Toys in this workshop where you will learn how to make your very own magical, movable paper creations!
Esther K Smith, author of Magic Books & Paper Toys and How to Make Books (Random House '08 + '07), designs and edits limited editions and artistBooks at Purgatory Pie Press.
Roll for Initiative: Role Playing
4 Wednesday sessions: March 4, 11, 18, 25 (2009)
6-8pm
Taught by Drew Cohen & Scott Seeley
For ages 10-14
Help Wanted: Intrepid adventurers needed for quest through mysterious tower. Applicants must be motivated self-starters with some skill in magic, sword-fighting, or thieving arts (or some combination of the above). Although the salary is less-than-desirable, you are allowed to take home any gold and/or magical artifacts you may find during your time here. Vivid imaginations a must. We are not responsible for any loss of life, limb, or sanity. Non-humans are welcome to apply, though shiftless gnomes will be considered on a case by case basis.
The rest of the story is up to you.
Armoires, Not Arm Wars!
3 Tuesday sessions: February 24, March 3, 10 (2009)
6:30-7:30pm
Taught by Erika Mayo
For ages 8-12
We all have skeletons in our closets but what have we hiding in our less-explored armoires? Why, stories, of course! Stories of dresses and socks and the shirt you accidentally borrowed but never returned from your best friend at summer camp. Each scavenger will bring three or so items from drawers or underneath beds and will construct the history of each cummerbund and suspender to create an original (sad? triumphant? stinky?) story.
Note: During this workshop there will be no arm wars. Thumb wars may be tolerated.
Epic! Tragic! Amazing!
3 Sunday sessions: January 25, February 1, 8 (2009)
12-1:30pm
Taught by 826NYC
For ages 6-9
Shrek and Fiona lived happily ever after. So did Sleeping Beauty and Prince Charming. But who wants to read about happily ever after (especially with Valentine's Day right around the corner)? Blech! Here's your chance to write a perfect recipe for not-so-happily-ever-after -- a tragic story. Characters and catastrophes not included.
Gumshoes on the Mean Streets
4 Thursday sessions: January 15, 22, 29, February 5 (2009)
6-7:30pm
Taught by Caroline Nuffort & Joan Kim
For ages 10-14
Your favorite pen disappears from your desk, a funny smell is coming from your neighbor's apartment, and your teacher, usually nice and cheerful, has been in a terrible mood for weeks. Do you ignore these signs, or do you try to get more information? If you have a nose for mystery, this workshop is the place for you!
Solving mysteries, large and small, requires detective work. Test your mettle as an amateur gumshoe in this class. You will snoop and sleuth your way towards solving a crime! At the end of this workshop you will take home a published book of case files.
