Krafty Kids

Krafty Kids is a monthly creative workshop designed for young people aged 9-14 who are curious about art and enjoy making their own work.

Each session introduces a different theme and combines learning about artists and artistic techniques with practical activities where participants create their own artwork to take home. The sessions follow a clear and supportive structure. Children begin with an introduction to the theme, exploring examples of artworks and discussing the materials and techniques used by artists. This is followed by a hands-on making activity where participants experiment with drawing or other creative materials. Each workshop ends with a show, tell and celebrate moment where everyone can share their work, reflect on what they have learned and receive a short handout summarising the session.

Please Note: Children must be supervised at all times.

Selfies and Portraits – Sun 19 Apr, 10am This session explores self-portraiture and how artists express identity through their work. Participants will look at examples by Vincent van Gogh, Frida Kahlo, Chris Ofili and Everlyn Nicodemus, while learning basic facial proportions and portrait materials. Children will then create their own self-portrait using drawing or painting techniques.

Storyboarding Your Life – Sun 17 May, 10am This session introduces storyboarding, a visual storytelling technique used in film and animation. Participants will explore examples from Disney, Studio Ghibli and artist Pierre Alechinsky, learning how images can be organised to tell a story. Children will create their own storyboard using drawing materials, pens and coloured pencils. About the Artist Angenita Teekens is an award-winning artist with more than thirty years of experience facilitating community art projects. She has worked with Essex galleries, schools, local community groups and charities. She studied at the Art Academy in Tilburg in the Netherlands, where she gained a teaching qualification in Art, Design and Dutch, and later completed a Master’s degree in Sculptural Practice at the University of Essex. Her own artistic practice explores the relationship between people and the natural world, often focusing on themes of community, environment and sustainability. Alongside her artistic work, Teekens is passionate about creating open and welcoming learning environments. Her teaching spans a wide range of disciplines including photography, drawing, painting, mixed media, ceramics and textiles.