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.
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
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- 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.
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- Texture Rubbings! One of the seven elements of art, texture refers to the feeling given to the surface. Explore how artists use texture to add depth, interest, or balance to their work. Students will create their own texture landscape or collage.
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- 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.
