Piedmont University’s Mason-Scharfenstein Museum of Art is kicking off the new year with a series of free family workshops, starting with Family Workshop: Collage for Kids on January 25, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. This workshop, designed for children aged 5-12, will be the first of many led by regional artists at the museum. All workshops are free and open to the public, but adults are required to accompany children.
This new initiative is made possible by funding from the Georgia Council for the Arts, which recently awarded Piedmont University a $1200 Vibrant Communities Grant. The grant supports arts programs throughout Georgia, including murals, artist residencies, performances, and educational events like these workshops. Piedmont University is one of 47 entities across the state benefiting from the 2025 Vibrant Communities funding, which totals over $190,000.
The Family Workshop series
The Family Workshop series, led by talented regional artists, will continue with Valentine Neep Workshop on February 15, featuring author and illustrator Jan Walker. Advance registration for this workshop is required and can be completed online here. The final workshop in the series will be Drawing in the Gallery on March 22, led by Becky Murphy, art teacher at Cornelia Elementary School.
“Thanks to the support of the Georgia Council for the Arts, we are able to offer a variety of engaging, hands-on workshops for children and families in our community,” said Rebecca Brantley, Director of the Mason-Scharfenstein Museum of Art. “These programs provide a wonderful opportunity for families to create together while exploring art and our museum’s exhibitions. We’re excited to see our community use the space in new and creative ways.”
A Grant Supporting Arts Education and Community Engagement
The Vibrant Communities Grant is part of the Georgia Council for the Arts’ ongoing effort to support arts programming throughout the state. Aimed at enriching local communities, the funding will help bring arts education to schools, support local artists, and encourage cultural tourism that benefits surrounding businesses.
“Thriving arts organizations cultivate vibrant communities,” said Tina Lilly, Executive Director of the Georgia Council for the Arts. “These investments provide long-term benefits by drawing tourists, improving quality of life, and contributing to the state’s economy.”
Piedmont University’s Mason-Scharfenstein Museum of Art is using its portion of the grant to offer free workshops that focus on exploring creativity and the visual arts. These workshops will be led by esteemed local teaching artists, giving participants the chance to learn new skills and create their own works of art inspired by the museum’s exhibitions.
Meet the Teaching Artists
Becky Murphy: An art teacher at Cornelia Elementary School, Murphy has a long history of making an impact on her students and the local community. She recently organized an exhibition of student art at Piedmont University and has guided her students in creating a community mural in downtown Cornelia. Murphy’s teaching style has earned her the admiration of both students and colleagues, with one observer noting, “She gave them an opportunity to shine. She made these students feel like superstars.”
Alice Stone-Collins: A talented Atlanta-based artist with roots in northeast Georgia, Stone-Collins creates intricate collages that explore pop culture, suburbia, and the landscape. Her work has been showcased regionally and nationally, and she has participated in artist residencies in both the U.S. and Costa Rica. Stone-Collins’ distinctive artistic style will provide an inspiring foundation for the collage workshop.
Jan Walker: Known for her 45 years of teaching and artistic contributions to northeast Georgia, Jan Walker has introduced thousands of children, teens, and adults to the joys of drawing. She is the creator of the Knee Neep series of books, which have become beloved in the local community. Her workshop on February 15 will offer a fun, hands-on experience based on her signature character, the Knee Neep.
Looking Ahead
The upcoming workshops offer an exciting opportunity for families to engage with the arts and explore new creative outlets. The Mason-Scharfenstein Museum of Art is thrilled to provide these opportunities to local children and families, and to continue fostering an environment where creativity and culture thrive.
For more information about the Family Workshop series or to register for the Valentine Neep Workshop, visit the museum’s website or follow them on social media for updates.
