In addition to regularly scheduled guided tours, we can work with your school or community group to schedule demonstrations, artist talks, and workshops on a wide range of topics relating the history and craft of printing as well as the art of the book. We have lesson plans on a variety of subjects and topics, available for free online, or we may work together to design something special for your group. For questions, or to schedule your outreach program, please contact the Printing Museum at tours@printingmuseum.org
We are also a partner with Arts Connect Houston which unites the Greater Houston community to ensure access to high-quality arts education in creative writing, dance, music, theater and the visual arts for every student, beginning with the Houston ISD. View our programs and profile: https://houston.artlookmap.com/partners/326
- Magical Math with Origami
What do an origami paper crane and geometry have to do with each other? Quite a bit it turns out! Using origami folding techniques, students will learn basic geometric principles (e.g., planes, axioms, ratios) while converting a flat piece of paper into a 3D sculptural form. For younger learners, origami folds will be used to identify shapes, ratios, and simple mathematics. This class is easily scaled to all levels of learners and time blocks. - Paper Engineering: The Art of Pop-up Books
Learn to think like an engineer! Pop-up books are a fun and effective method to teach basic math principles, understand applied forces or “cause and effect”, enhance spatial thinking, and develop effective problem-solving. Using demonstration and step-by-step instructions, students will learn how to transform a flat 2D sheet of paper into a 3D form that pops up and out from the page. Each student will complete a 6-page book with each spread featuring a different pop-up method. This class can be adapted for all ages but is best suited for 10 and older and is 3 hours but can be divided into multiple sessions. - Creating a Comic
Learn how a comic is developed from start to finish. Students of all ages will understand the fundamentals of telling a short story through words and/or imagery, using single or multi-panel construction. Using an easy-to-follow, step-by-step process, students will be able to take their idea from concept to completed comic. Students do not need to have any previous experience in drawing or storytelling to benefit from this instruction. This class can be adapted into a one-day, 1.5-hour experience or a multi-day intensive for middle and high-school students. - Nature Printing
Enhance your student’s perception, appreciation, and understanding of the natural world all around. For example, printing a leaf highlights the unique strategies that a plant uses during its life cycle while also creating a beautiful work of art. We’ll start with a brief overview of the printing technique(s) to be learned followed by a short, guided walk outdoors to select items for printing (e.g., leaves, petals, feathers, grasses). If a walk is not an option, then natural objects will be brought to class. Each student will print at least one natural object and all students will be encouraged to explore the unique properties revealed through printing that create a new understanding of the plant or object. Students will be guided in an age-appropriate discussion that intersects science and art. This is a highly interactive and adaptable experience for all ages, that strongly encourages investigation and collaboration among students. - Persuasion with Poster Art
The printed word, has for centuries, been used around the world to influence, and persuade people to action. Commonly called a broadside, this type of poster has a long lineage of use in the US. Using examples of broadsides as inspiration, students will collaboratively develop a message and using letterpress printing tools, will work together to print their persuasive message. Each student will gain a better understanding of how to create a simple, persuasive message, design a poster, and use relief printmaking techniques to pull a print. Each student will get to keep a copy of the printed broadside. This class is adaptable for all ages and helps to develop effective oral and written communication and collaboration. - Expressive Typography
Why does it matter what typeface you choose? In this highly collaborative and interactive class, students will learn how different typefaces, commonly called fonts, affect how the reader reacts to what is written. Using a combination of digital media and letterpress printing, students will explore the different aspects of a typeface, including what are the shapes that make up a letter, a brief history of type, how to create an impact on the reader using type, how to arrange letters and words to guide the eye effectively, and how to have fun with letterforms. Using historical and contemporary printing materials, students will explore the impact and importance of selecting type. This class is easily adapted to any age and encourages collaboration among students.
