Programs
Carnegie Picture Lab believes strongly that the arts are essential for a child’s healthy development and holistic educational experience. The arts build 21st century skills and play a key role in the overall vitality of a community. As the only local nonprofit organization dedicated to creative art programs for young people, Carnegie Picture Lab fills a critical niche in our community’s educational and cultural landscape.
Carnegie Picture Lab programs are supported, in part, by a grant from the Washington State Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Guiding
Beliefs
Art is integral to every child’s education; it enhances creativity, enriches learning, and develops critical thinking skills.
Engaging art experiences include hands-on projects using varied art materials and techniques.
Innovative curriculum teaches about diverse artists and art history.
Creativity is nurtured through positive and encouraging interactions with adults.
Each child’s self-expression through art is unique and valued.
creativity curated school program
Picture Lab provides high quality, consistent lesson delivery as well as tiered lessons by grade level which include grade specific national standards. We believe that our mission can be achieved by a comprehensive, creative, curated portfolio of art lessons that both fit the needs of a school community and deepen artistic experiences and education for students.
Read more about our Creativity Curated School Program
Rural art initiative
In 2021, we launched the Rural Art Initiative in partnership with the Prescott School District to provide an innovative program of art classes, field trips, and a comprehensive artists-in-residence program that reflects this unique rural community. Thanks to a grant from Education First, the NoVo Foundation, and Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, we have expanded programming at Prescott for the 2023-24 school year.
Walla Walla Foundry tours
Elementary students have the opportunity to learn large sizes sculptures creation process from craftspeople who take time out of their work day to explain: the wax process, the investment room (where the model is converted to a plaster mold which will then be filled with metal), then on to finishing and patina rooms. An interactive PowerPoint illuminates the creative process from idea to sculpture, and a hands on art project is included as part of the tour as students learn how to sculpt with clay.
art makerspace
To create more art making opportunities outside the academic school day, Carnegie Picture Lab has transformed its building at 515 East Main Street into a creative Art Makerspace where young people from preschool through high school and their families will be able to spend time exploring, discovering, and expressing their creativity through visual art media. Please, contact Kristie Coleman at kristie@carnegiepicturelab.com for more information.
Art History Program
This Carnegie Picture Lab curriculum aims to create engaging art experiences for participating schools through an exploration of art history and hands-on art making. This is achieved through dynamic, purposeful lessons that have clear learning objectives paired with the opportunity for students to work with high quality art materials in a creative and meaningful way. The curriculum helps students understand how media, technique and process are used to create works of fine art. Athena Elementary School and Saint Basil Academy are participating with this program for the 2023-2024 school year.
art chopped
Art Chopped is modeled on the Food Network show “Chopped” where participants from a family team area given a mystery basket of art supplies from which to create a work of art. Additional supplies from the art “pantry” are utilized, and families participate in two rounds: an “appetizer” round (15 minutes) and an “entree” round (30 minutes). In March of 2022, Art Chopped premiered in Walla Walla elementary schools where creativity, teamwork, and fun were the main ingredients. Art Chopped 2.0 took place in March-April of 2023. See the action here!
“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.”