Youth Portraits That Tell a Personal Story
Spend an exciting afternoon at Arts Collaborative Medford drawing, painting, and collaging alongside other high school and middle school youth.
Purpose: In this workshop, our self portraits are less about the outcome and more about the process of exploring ourselves. It’s not about the “perfect drawing” or “realistic proportions,” it’s thinking about the things that make you, you. How you feel about yourself can change day-to-day and a self portrait is something only you can create. The outcome of our portraits will reflect how we see ourselves, full of different emotions and experiences.
We'll start by taking a look at a variety of historical and contemporary self-portraits to get our creative juices flowing, then proceed with a quick creative writing and collaging exercise to encourage us to think about objects, people, and our environment that makes up your identity. How do you see yourself and what represents you beyond your appearance?
Outcome: Each student will create one 12x16” self portrait painting on canvas. We’ll have access to a variety of materials including paint, pastels, stencils, fabric, yarn, and other 3D materials, and are encouraged to experiment with a variety of techniques including collage, mark-making, layering, stitching, foiling, and more.
More details:
All 2026 workshops are located at Arts Collaborative Medford at 162 Mystic Ave, Medford, MA 02155. (Free parking lot attached to building, Both Tufts Station and Ball Square Station on the Green Line E are a 20 min walk.)
Materials are purchased by the instructor and shared between participants during the workshop. No need to bring your own supplies!
This workshop combines different age groups and is open to anyone grades 6-12, fostering peer mentorship, collaboration, and the ability for siblings of different ages to attend together
2026 Registration Dates
🎨 If a workshop date is full, please send me an email to be added to the waitlist. In past events, one or two people usually join from off the waitlist per session!
Create a 12x16” self portrait to express what represents you beyond your appearance. We will using paint, pastels, stencils, fabric, yarn, and other 3D materials and experiment with a variety of techniques including collage, mark-making, layering, stitching, foiling, and more.
Info For Registered Participants:
Please arrive AT LEAST 5 minutes early to park, check in, and set up your space. Event will start promptly at the time listed.
Individual cancellations made more than 7 days before the event will be 100% refunded, minus the 4% card processing fee. Cancellations made 7 days or less before the event will be refunded 50% and cancellations made 48 hours before the event will not be refunded
If you can no longer attend, please email me so I can fill your spot from the waitlist if there is one
If a workshop is cancelled due to weather, payments are 100% refunded, minus the 4% card processing fee. A cancellation email will be sent to participants at least 2 hours before the event is scheduled.
