Art in Action Workshops

Learn more about a variety of different art forms with our free, drop-in Art in Action workshops!

Children ages from 5+ and their families are welcome to participate.

Jai Sallay-Carrington (they/them) is a Vancouver-based ceramic sculptor whose artistic practice focuses on human and animal forms. Jai earned their master’s degree at the University of Washington in 2023 and has exhibited internationally at several prestigious galleries, such as Henry Art Gallery in Seattle, C.R.E.T.A. Rome Gallery and Changchun China’s International Ceramic Museum. With a grant from Canada Council of the Arts, they attended a year-long artist residency at Baltimore Clayworks, earning the Lormina Salter Fellowship. Artist residencies and teaching workshops have brought them through North America, Europe and China.

Website: jscreatures.com

Joshua Ralph is an uninvited settler on the lands of the Squamish, Musqueam, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. Born on Treaty 2 Territory, he is of mixed white ancestry of English, Scottish, and Métis. Joshua has a professional background in environmental field work, recreation programming development and animation. They are a community-engaged artist interested in changing ecologies, spearheading projects from arts festivals, community science initiatives and large-scale murals. Joshua has been recognized in publications such as The National Observer for his ongoing environmental-art body of work, with films and exhibitions held both nationally and internationally.

Braiding & Knot-Tying

With Lou

Time: 10:30am-4:30pm
Location: The Knitting Nook

Try your hand at this simple knot-tying and braiding activity for all ages! Make colourful braids using ribbons and yarn.

Lou, often called Lulu, loves playing and learning with children using crafts.

Ceramic Family Portraits

With Bella Kwiatkowski

Time: 11:00am-12:00pm
Location: The Pottery Studio

Create a ceramic family portrait as a keepsake for the home. Workshop is designed for one adult and one child to collaborate on a single artwork. Works will be fired and ready to pick up after the festival. Adult participation is required. This workshop is free. Please request a ticket at the Richmond Cultural Centre Annex Front Desk before the workshop begins. Space is limited.

Anabella “Bella” Kwiatkowski is an artist living in Vancouver, BC who has worked with clay for eight years. After going to Studio 58 for theatre production, she discovered a love for working and creating with her own hands. When she’s not teaching, she’s probably crafting!

Chinese Calligraphy

With the Chinese Artists Association of Richmond and the Chinese Ink & Brush Society

Time: 10:30am-4:00pm
Location: The Annex Lounge

Watch this Chinese calligraphy demonstration and then join in and practice. Immerse yourself, learn to appreciate the beauty of Chinese art and calligraphy and explore hands-on practice writing Chinese calligraphy with the traditional ink and brush.

Demonstration and instruction by Chinese Artists Association of Richmond (morning) and Chinese Ink and Brush Society (afternoon).

The Chinese Ink and Brush Society aspires to appreciate and promote the art of Chinese calligraphy, while creating art and community together. Such goals are carried out under the mentorship of Mr. Kinson Lu through his instruction and demonstration of this ancient skill. The group meets every Friday from 1:30-3:30pm  in the Richmond Cultural Centre’s Fabric Arts Studio.

Email: gvcibs52623@gmail.com

The Chinese Artists Association of Richmond, a non-profit organization formed by a group of calligraphists and painters in Richmond, aims to promote Chinese arts and culture in the community. Through weekly lessons by volunteer teachers, the club provides a platform for adults to explore and express their love for arts and nature, benefitting their health and wellness.

With exhibitions and active participation in community events, the club strives to encourage the sharing and appreciation of Chinese calligraphy and painting among our members, as well as people of different ethnic origins and cultures.

Email: rcac1116@gmail.com

Create a Clay Pencil Holder

With Bella Kwiatkowski

Time: 12:30-2:00pm
Location: The Pottery Studio

Make a personal ceramic container to hold pencils and art supplies. Learn handbuilding techniques such as coiling, joining and stamping. Works will be fired and ready to pick up after the festival. This workshop is free. Please request a ticket at the Richmond Cultural Centre Annex Front Desk before the workshop begins. Space is limited.

Anabella “Bella” Kwiatkowski is an artist living in Vancouver BC who has worked with clay for eight years. After going to Studio 58 for theatre production, she discovered a love for working and creating with her own hands. When she’s not teaching, she’s probably crafting!

Creative Shapes

With Priscilla Yu

Time: 2:00-4:00pm
Location: The Creativity Lab

Join artist Priscilla Yu for a hands-on creative workshop where your ideas will inspire a vibrant mural at the Cultural Centre Annex. Explore color, pattern and imagination as community members brainstorm and sketch together. Whether you are an experienced artist or just love to doodle, this is your chance to leave your mark on a community artwork that celebrates joy and creativity. Come ready to play with design and share your vision!

Priscilla Yu is a multidisciplinary artist and muralist based in Vancouver, BC. Known for characteristically vibrant imagery, her work is inspired by patterns in nature and architecture. Through abstracted points of perspective and a geometric visual language, she creates colourful and textured worlds.

Website: priscillayu.ca
Instagram: @priscillayustudio

Finger Knit Bracelets

With Knit N' Crochet 4 A Better World

Time: 10:30am-4:30pm
Location: The Knitting Nook

Join a group of knitters and crocheters to finger knit a bracelet (limit to one per person). Knitting and crocheting are relaxing and meditative activities that help improve dexterity and offer the opportunity for community connection. Come chat and create!

Knit N Crochet 4 A Better World began in 2014 as a project with the Richmond Green Ambassadors, a group of high school students who volunteer with the City of Richmond on waste diversion and other environmental initiatives. The group first met at Richmond Public Library, where the Ambassadors learned how to knit. Since then, teenagers, adults and seniors meet in the Kwok-Chu Lee Living Room of the library to work on their projects in a friendly, social setting twice a week.

Together, Knit N Crochet 4 A Better World creates projects, shares skills and teaches anyone who wants to learn knitting or crocheting. Everyone is welcome! Join on the first Saturday of each month or take part in a beginner class to get started.

Horse Cups: Preschool Pinch Pots

With Bella Kwiatkowski

Time: 2:30-4:00pm
Location: The Pottery Studio

Create a pinch pot cup inspired by the year of the horse. Explore rolling, shaping, joining and texturizing clay. Adult participation is required. Works will be fired and ready to pick up after the festival. This workshop is free. Please request a ticket at the Richmond Cultural Centre Annex Front Desk before the workshop begins. Space is limited.

Anabella “Bella” Kwiatkowski is an artist living in Vancouver, BC, who has worked with clay for eight years. After going to Studio 58 for theatre production, she discovered a love for working and creating with her own hands. When she’s not teaching, she’s probably crafting!

Golnar Servatian is an award-winning children’s book illustrator, art educator, and visual storyteller based in Coquitlam. With over 80 published titles — many of them international — she brings years of experience creating warm, engaging illustrations that connect deeply with young audiences.

In addition to illustration work, Golnar teaches drawing and visual storytelling to children and teens, encouraging creative confidence and personal expression. She loves being part of community art events and festivals where she can share passion for art with families in a fun and interactive way.

Website: golnarservatian.com
Instagram: @golnarservatian

Aiko Matsushiba is an origami instructor who has taught origami at community centres, libraries, community events and more. She was born in Japan and her mother and grandmother have taught her how to fold origami, such as cranes and boxes. Aiko enjoys teaching origami to children and their families.

Instagram: @aikos.origami

Paint By Numbers: Year of the Fire Horse

With Wen Wen (Cherry) Lu

Time: 10:30am-4:30pm
Location: The Atrium

Help bring the Fire Horse to life using bold colours and a little creativity! Add your mark to this collaborative painting and watch this community-created artwork take shape throughout the day.

Wen Wen (Cherry) Lu is a multimedia artist interested in exploring the hidden, the small and the forgotten through installation, illustration and animation. Taking inspiration from her family history, she seeks to combine the past with her present experiences of culture, nature and community to create something that questions. Her work has been shown in spaces such as Lions Park, Richmond Nature Park, Centre A and New Westminster Museum and Gallery. She is also a visual arts instructor at Shadbolt Centre for the Arts.

Website: wenwenart.com
Instagram: @cwensquared

Paper-Making

With Maru Aponte

Time: 10:30am-4:30pm
Location: Richmond Art Gallery

Join a hands-on paper-making activity at the Richmond Art Gallery and meet exhibiting artist, Maru Aponte. The artist will be demonstrating a variety of techniques for festival visitors to try out, with finished works to be on display in the Richmond Art Gallery Lounge for the remainder of the exhibition. Adult participation is required for this free drop-in activity.

Teddy Bear Repair Café

With Richmond Environmental Programs

Time: 10:30am-4:30pm (by appointment)
Location: The Boardroom

Join Richmond Environmental Programs for a heartwarming and interactive experience at the Teddy Bear Repair Fair. Schedule an appointment with the team of friendly “doctors” who are specialists in stitching up rips and tears, reattaching limbs and re-stuffing toys that need some extra plumping. Your treasured stuffed toy will be in good hands!

Click here to make an appointment.

Richmond Environmental Programs supports a circular economy by encouraging residents to use, reuse or repair and recycle items multiple times to help reduce waste and reliance on natural resources.