Field Trips

Youth groups are welcome at Gari Melchers Home & Studio! The museum offers unique experiences for all kinds of groups and ages. Art clubs, gifted programs, classrooms, home schoolers, and summer camps are encouraged to consider spending a morning or afternoon of learning, creativity, and fun at Belmont.

Our interactive, guided programs are customized by Education and Communications Manager Michelle Crow-Dolby to fit your needs and goals. Field trips typically consist of a Please Touch! historic house tour, a Looking to Learn: Learning to Look studio tour, and an outdoor scavenger hunt. Most groups also choose to include an art activity (see below). For booking information, please contact Ms. Crow-Dolby at mdolby@umw.edu or 540-654-1851.

The museum offers outdoor picnic tables, room to roam, a beautiful view overlooking the Rappahannock River, hiking trails, ample restrooms, and a large parking lot.

Field trip prices are $6 per student or $10 per student if you add an optional art activity.

Art Activities

: Spray Art! Students learn to create art without a paintbrush. Spray bottles and droppers are used to “paint” colorful wall hangings. Action art, color mixing, and collaborative mural painting are all explored in this fun and fast-paced project.

: Create Your Own Garden Sculpture! Gari Melchers’ father, Julius, was a well-known sculptor who served as his son’s first art teacher. Gari and Corinne Melchers enjoyed decorating their Belmont garden with sculpture. This program takes students on a sculpture tour and culminates with everyone creating their own clay sculpture.

: Sketching 101! Students will channel their inner Gari Melchers by learning to sketch what they see. Travel-size sketchbook provided. This can either be a gallery or outdoor activity – depending on the weather.