Spring NAHS/NJAHS Spring Student Studio Day

Date & Time: Dates: April 26, 2025
Time: 11:00am–12:30pm ET
Register here!
Please note that registration is limited the the first 500 participants.

Join us for the NAHS/NJAHS Spring Student Studio Day, a global online gathering of National Art Honor Society (NAHS) and National Junior Art Honor Society (NJAHS) students! This student-led event is designed to inspire, connect, and create together.

The event will kick off with opening remarks from NAHS/NJAHS Student Council Ambassador members, setting the stage for a dynamic and engaging experience. From there, students can participate in a hands-on workshop of their choice led by outstanding NAHS/NJAHS sponsors and students. These interactive breakout sessions will provide a chance to explore new techniques, experiment with materials, and spark creative ideas.

To conclude the event, we will gather once more for closing remarks, celebrating the creative energy shared throughout the event. Don’t miss this chance to connect with fellow NAHS/NJAHS members, learn from each other, and make art together!

Registration is open to the first 500 participants. By registering, you confirm that you have obtained permission from your parent/guardian to attend the virtual event.

Sign up today and get ready to spring into a new season of creating!

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Event Schedule:

Saturday, April 26, 2025
11:00–11:15am ET: Welcome Message
11:15am–12:15pm ET: Workshop Sessions
12:15–12:30pm ET: Closing Remarks

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Workshop Descriptions:

When registering you’ll choose one of the workshops below for your breakout session. Please note the required materials.

Workshop #1: The Art of Contemporary Collage

Presented by Jace Walker

Description: This session will include a 10- to 15-minute presentation and time to create a unique collage piece. The slideshow presentation will generate ideas for students and help them create their own pieces. It will include examples of collage pieces from great artists including, but not limited to, Hannah Höch, Henri Matisse, Martha Rosler, Barbara Kruger, and Wangenchi Mutu. We will discuss how collage has been used in the past to express ideas, such as in Dadaism, Surrealism, propaganda, and social issues, and how we can use it now. Students will be free to express themselves however they want, whether the work is abstract or representational. Lastly, we will talk about processes such as cutting or tearing the paper and applying them to the piece. After the presentation, we will answer any questions from the chat and create an example along with the students. At the end of the workshop, we will encourage students and teachers to show off their amazing work on social media, tagging NAHS.

Materials: A medium-sized piece of paper (8 x 10 in. to 11 x 14 in.) for the base, a glue stick, a pair of scissors, a spare magazine or colored paper

Workshop #2: Artsy Bottle Cap Pins

Presented by Chidera Oforkansi

Description: Participants of this workshop will be tasked with transforming ordinary bottle caps into artistic pins! They will be expected to follow the tutorial to properly prepare the pin for painting, and from there they may decorate the pins however they would like. Artistic expression is strongly encouraged, and participants must come in ready to create. The goal of this workshop is to introduce students to new modes of art, using unconventional materials to express themselves and inspire them to think outside the box.

Materials: Bottle caps (metal or plastic), acrylic paint, soda can tabs, safety pins. (Sandpaper and clear nail polish or Mod Podge are optional but recommended.)

Workshop #3: Colored Pencils and a Limited Color Palette

Presented by Ella Grail and Lindsay Wede

Description: In this workshop, you’ll learn how to mix a limited palette of colors when working with colored pencils to achieve a drawing with color harmony. We will start with a brief presentation sharing examples of colored pencil artworks and strategies. You will learn about colored pencil techniques like layering, burnishing, and blending. We will then move on to experimenting with blending and mixing colored pencils. As part of the workshop, you will also have a chance to draw an object of your choice using the techniques we learned. At the end, you’ll have a chance to share your work with the group.

Materials: An object of a single color, colored pencils (set of 24+ preferred), pencil, eraser, 1–2 pieces of paper

Workshop #4: Blackout Poetry Illustrated

Presented by Charlotte Martin and Marisa Pappas

Description: In this session, participants will learn how to create and illustrate a poem using recycled material. This type of art is called blackout poetry, “found” poetry, or redacted poetry. Participants will learn the history of this art form, as well as works from artists working in this medium, such as Austin Kleon, Becca Klaver, and Tom Phillips. Using magazines, old book pages, or newspapers, participants will select an article or a book page from which words will be selected to create a poem. Poems can be simple or complex, depending on words selected from the given text. Different types of poems will be reviewed with participants. We will then illustrate how to arrange the page, coloring over unwanted words, then illustrating the word using markers or colored pencils. Some of the words will be blacked out using a black marker or Sharpie in sections around a design that illustrates the poem. Participants will leave with a finished artwork.

Materials: magazine page, newspaper, old discarded book page, black marker or Sharpie, colored pencils or markers, paper for idea drawing and pencil to sketch.

Workshop #5: The Art of the Resist

Presented by Sabrea Jordan and Renna Moore-Edwards

Description: Dive into the captivating world of Resist. In this workshop, participants will learn numerous different methods to create a resist in their artwork. After we demo these techniques, participants will then create their own watercolor Resist paintings, using one or more of the methods taught during the demo. This workshop is hands-on, so be prepared to create and show your creativity. The subject matter is up to participants, and can be abstract or representational. This workshop is for all age levels. No previous experience needed.

Materials: 2 sheets of watercolor paper (8 x 11 in., 9 x 10 in., or 11 x 14 in.; Canson watercolor paper is preferred but not required), black oil pastel, white oil pastel, a pack of colored oil pastels or crayons, watercolor palette (pan or liquid watercolor; Koi brand will be used in the demo), watercolor paintbrush, water cup, paper towels, painters tape.

Workshop #6: Editorial Cartoonz: Learn to Voice Your Opinions Through Art!

Presented by Cailyn Choi

Description: In this workshop, we will be making cartoons with meaning! Interested in voicing your thoughts and opinions through your art? This workshop will showcase how to put deeper meaning into your cartoon art to send a message to its viewers! It will be a straightforward workshop, and you’ll come out of it with cartoon-creating skills that present your unique voice! Hope to see you there!

Materials: Pencil or pen (any writing utensil), paper, coloring utensil (optional but encouraged). Digital art is also an option if preferred!