September 27–14, 2025 @ William King Museum of Art
On Sept. 27, from 2-4 p.m.,the community is invited to celebrate William King Museum of Art's Art Lab’s fifth anniversary. The celebration takes place in the Art Lab at William King Museum of Art and features open studios from resident artists, demos using different mediums, self-serve art stations, an ice cream truckand more. Participants can complete an Art Crawl to be entered to win door prizes.
According to Laken Bridges, Director of Higher Education, “Art Lab opened with the goal of expanding the museum’s educational offerings, but we have done so much more and delved so much deeper than I could have imagined. We provide arts enrichment experiences to high school, collegeand continuing education groups; we offer classes for the College for Older Adults; we partner with Emory & Henry University and Virginia Highlands Community College to expose students to art-making and arts careers. We offer workshops, studio timeand print services to the public; we host educational and community art exhibits; we have served human services groups, led team-building sessions, and popped up at visitor centers, festivalsand block parties to connect with our community. Above all, Art Lab seeks to educate and empower; to foster curiosity and self-expression, to challenge critical thinking, and to amplify creative voices. I have seen perspectives change through the study of art and epiphanies occur in the process of making it. I have seen faces light up in the joy of recognizing oneself in an artwork; I have watched people from vastly diverse walks of life connect through art to find common ground. I have heard ‘I could never-’ change to ‘look what I did.’ The value in art is not just the finished product, but the experiences and transformations that can occur in the making process along the way. We are all creative in some capacity and that creativity is what connects us. Art is for everyone. Art Lab is honored to share our love of art with our community, and we thank you for your continued support and for allowing us to serve you.”
To sign up for this free event, visitwilliamkingmuseum.org/event/party.
About Art Lab: Art Lab opened in 2020 and is a hub for learning where artists, makers, students, educators, and the public can connect, exchange knowledge, explore ideas, and hone their skills. Equipped with printmaking, clay, and mixed media studios; a darkroom; a digital lab; a lecture space; and a community gallery, it’s a space where critical thinking is engaged, curiosity is sparked, and creativity flourishes. It’s a place for examining the rich diversity of our world through the lenses of art, craft, and technology and home to a variety of resident artists working across media.
Art Lab also provides enrichment experiences for visiting high school groups as well as classes, workshops, and internships for our educational partners, Emory & Henry University, Virginia Highlands Community College, and the College for Older Adults.
For media inquiries contact Mandy Barker atmbarker@wkmuseum.org.
Category: Achievement, Art