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!
Comic Strips for Kids
3 Tuesday sessions: January 31, February 7, 14
6-8pm
Taught by Tom Hart
Ages 9-12, limited to 10 students
In this workshop, we'll learn the basics of making a comic strip—from inventing and drawing characters to writing scenes and jokes. We'll start by sketching ideas and work twoard a final ink drawing with professional tools.
Born in Kingston, NY, Tom Hart has been drawing cartoons since tracing a strange picture in the second grade of Charlie Brown's head sticking out of the tube of toothpaste.
Picture This! A Picture Book Writing Workshop
2 Thursday sessions: January 19, 26
6-8pm
Taught by Martha Mihalick & Airlie Anderson
Ages 9-12, limited to 8 students
Here is your chance to create a picture book like none other! In this workshop, we will figure out what makes the best picture books the best and try our hands at making our own. What makes a good story? How do you illustrate it?
Each student will write and illustrate their own stories, and will have a finished picture book to take home with them.
Once Upon a Picasso: Tales from the MoMA
3 Saturday sessions: January 14, 21, 28
2-4pm
Taught by Ben Street
Ages 12-14, limited to 10 students
Explore the strange world of modern art, where watches flop, houses have legs, and stories are waiting to be told.
We will visit the Museum of Modern Art and take a closer look at the way artists tell stories using everything from paint and paper to pins and needles. We'll make our own stories inspired by what we've seen, using words, cut-out images and our own drawings.
Note to parents: The first session (Jan 14) will take place at the MoMA. Students should arrive at the museum promptly at 2 p.m.
Make Your Very Own Radio Story (It's Just Like TV, Except Different)
4 Sunday sessions: January 8, 15, 22, 29
12-2pm
Taught by Starlee Kine & Leanne Stahnke
Ages 10-14, limited to 6 students
Learn how to gather your own tape, interview friends and strangers, and then edit it all together into a real radio documentary! Plus you get to wear oversized headphones and stick microphones in people’s faces.
Write, Paint, Picture, Story
1 Saturday session: December 17
2-4pm
Taught by Anthony Schneider & Lindsey Brown
Ages 9-12, limited to 8 students
Can you make a story out of pictures? How about giving a drawing a different ending? This fun class for writers and artists uses the same tools to tell tales and make art.
Whether you're a scribe, an artist or a bit of both, this is a fun way to play with story-telling and image-making. Everyone will start by creating a work based on physical objects. We'll then change some of the objects and discover how stories change and artworks evolve. Intrepid writers and artists can experiment with switching media, or incorporating one into the other.
Words in Music: A Lyrics Writing Workshop
2 Tuesday sessions: December 13, 20
6-8 pm
Taught by Michael Hearst and Rick Moody
For Students Ages 12-16
Have you ever wondered what it takes to write lyrics to a great song? Regardless of whether you are a virtuoso pianist or hopelessly tone-deaf, with this workshop, author Rick Moody (Demonology/The Black Veil) and musician Michael Hearst (One Ring Zero) join together to help you put your words down on paper and hear how they can come into melodic life.
Please bring a notebook, pencil, and eraser to both classes. By the end of this workshop you will have the opportunity to hear one of your songs performed live!
